'That's enough Di.' He gulped down the chewed food and tried to put down the morsel she was keeping in front of his mouth in an attempt to make him eat.

Anjali's outcry had the whole family gather in his room and seeing him almost pass out due to low blood sugar everyone got scared to the wits. He was instantly made to have some jaggery and his medicines. Anjali and Nani ordered him to get changed and rest for the remaining day. Work was strictly prohibited. So was his phone which was very much his replacement for laptop.

And now he sat there on his bed having food which Anjali insisted on feeding him with her own hands 'cause she knew he won't have enough until she forces him to.

'Just one more. This is the last one.' She held it out at his lips smiling.

'The last five morsels were the last ones.' He argued back raising his brows at his concerned sister who bit her tongue.

'Ok, this is the final last one. I promise.' She pouted pleading and he wasn't left with any other choice than trust her words and eat the mouthful.

'Good boy.' She rewarded him with a pat of his cheek.

Anjali got up keeping the plate with remaining food on the table at the recliner and passed him a glass of water.

He sipped half of it and kept the rest next to the jug on the night table. She put a lid on the glass and set the pillows behind his back to make sure he gets a peaceful slumber. He observed her remorsefully though.

'I'm sorry you had to stay back because of me.' He mumbled in a low voice.

She looked at her apologetic brother and then smiled stroking through his hair for his relaxation.

'How can I go to any trip knowing my Chote is not well?' She asked rhetorically making him feel even guiltier than he already was.

'I'm sorry Di.' He apologized once again with his head hung low.

It was not the missed trip he was repenting for. He hadn't wished for her to go with Shyam and having no other ideas to stop her, Aman suggested the act of being unwell for no way she was going away when her brother's health was at stake.

But he knew he was a terrible actor. He can't pull up an act of fooling his sister and the whole family. He rather had it authentic and skipped on his meals and medicines relying on coffee which worked wonders in dropping his levels further. Thankfully he could make up with Khushi and reach home before his diabetes decreased drastically. He didn't want her to worry sick.

And neither could he see his Di getting tensed. He felt extremely guilty for doing this to her, for fooling her and lying to her. His conscience was eating him up.

Anjali narrowed her eyes in confusion and cupped his jaw. She drew his face up to look at her. She didn't want him to be sorry for she couldn't go to Lucknow with Shyamji. It was her own decision she stay though Shyamji tried to convince her Arnav is well and the whole family is here to take care of him.

Arnav was not just her little brother, to her he was her child who at times needed his mother and like every mother she wanted to be there for her Chote and take care of him when he needed her.

'Arrey, why are you sorry? There's no need to be sorry. I can go to Lucknow with Shyamji anytime again.' She ran her hand through his hair for one last time and pulled the quilt to cover him. 'You stop thinking about it. Lay down and sleep. You need rest.'

'There's something I'd like you to know.' He said, making up his mind to get over his guilt and confess something.

'Khusi, you're home.' Garima exclaimed in relief as her daughter returned home safely.

Her eyes fell on the shining thing in her bag. Buaji too didn't fail to notice it.

'What is this?' She asked pointing at her bag.

Khushi gulped. She had hoped she could directly head to her room and not get noticed by the ladies. But alas, Devi Maiyya really wasn't with her in all this hiding it seemed.

'A gift Amma. Um, actually it was my first day at office na so, this was a welcome gift.' She replied taking it out and peeked at her mother whose eyes narrowed in suspicion.

'Um, Amanji gave it.' She quickly added avoiding an eye contact with her mother. If her mind averts to Arnav, she'll inquire further. So Aman's name was a distraction.

'Aye Titaliya come here.' Buaji patted the space next to her on the sofa and called her niece, not giving Garima any chance to ask further.

Buaji was having her own plans.

'Now tell me, who is this Aman?' She questioned very softly as Khushi took a seat beside her.

'He's Arnavji's manager. I work under him.' She realised the double meaning as soon she spoke it out, so felt the need to clarify lest they think of something else. 'I mean, I get my work and assignments from him and report to him.'

'That means he has a high position. He must be earning well!?' Buaji acquired her comfortable position with one leg down and smiled at Khushi, her hand resting under her chin.

'Well, I guess so.' She just rolled her shoulder not understanding the reason behind the sudden interrogation.

'So is he nice?' She threw in another one to which Khushi answered genuinely, without thinking much.

'Um haan Buaji. He's a nice man.'

'So how old is he? Is he married or a bachelor?' Buaji popped the question with curiosity shining in her eyes.

Finally Khushi crushed her brows together, thinning about Buaji's questions. She put one and one together to read her mind. But she knew how to handle her aunt.

'I think he's unmarried.' She claimed smiling very enthusiastically and put an arm around her Buaji's shoulders.

'Aap kehti hai toh baat chalaye? Aapki aur Amanji ki?'

Buaji's jaw dropped and before she could hit her jolly niece, Khushi got off and ran away to her room laughing.

'Dat!' She nodded in denial smiling at her niece's antics.

'Jiji, what are you thinking?' Garima approached her sister-in-law, having understood the reason behind her little quiz with her daughter.

'I was just enquiring a little about that man who gave our bitiya a gift.' She put forward plainly without playing around. 'You know what it means when a boy showers a girl with presents!'

'Haan Jiji but Khusi bitiya, no-- she's young and naive.' Garima bluntly refused to acknowledge her innocent daughter will accept gifts from any boy showing interest in her.

She was her mother and knew Khushi this less. It had to be welcome gift for real. There was no way something was going on between her and that Aman guy. She had gone to the office after months.

'Exactly Garima. Our Sanka Devi is young and naive. She doesn't even understand a boy showing interest in her. But I've learnt from my mistakes.' Buaji declared standing up and comically threw her long braid around her neck.

'What do you mean?' Garima failed to understand the unsaid and sought out for an answer.

'I want her to get married in a good house, with a good boy. Payalia was lucky to get married in such a nice family, now I wish whoever Khusi gets married to shall always keep her happy.' She looked up with her hands joined and prayed to her Nand Kishore.

Garima smiled at her Jiji and retired to kitchen. She wasn't aware of Buaji's intentions of spying on Aman to make sure he's not another fraud and cheater like Shyam.

Ever since Shyam's truth was revealed there was no other person who felt more ashamed and guiltier than Buaji for she forced Khushi to get engaged to that vicious snake. She had sworn to make amends by watching over Khushi and not rushing her in any relationship like she did with Shyam. She promised it to her Nand Kishore that she won't force her to get married to any person and will make sure to have a proper check of the prospective groom and his family.

May the force be with Aman.

'Can't you drive properly, you idiot?' He scoffed at the cab driver before pulling his big back onto his lap.

'I'm sorry sir. There was a hole.' He apologised serenely though the only thing he wanted to do was stop at the right and thrash the man's head sitting behind.

Unfortunately it was the driver's daily job to put up with disrespectful jerks like Shyam Manohar Jha.

Shyam paid no need to his apology though and slid the page out of his bag to have a look at it. He closed his eyes hissing.

It was a perfect plan but that damn Arnav had to get ill.

And once again that good-for-nothing woman missed her death. Damn! She's a lucky bitch.

But not for long. I'll figure a way out to get her and her brother out of my way, once and for all. Then their whole property and Khushiji will be mine.

...Right after I deal with this bastard.

Mehul Kohli, you troubled me long enough. I'm coming for you.

'There's something I'd like you to know.' He said, making up his mind to get over his guilt and confess to her.

He was keeping her in the dark for quite a while about things. And he didn't feel great about it. It was taking a toll on his conscience.

While there was this matter he couldn't disclose to her, not yet, there was this another affair he wanted to tell her. He loathed keeping things hidden from her. His sister had always known about important things going on in his life. And that shall continue.

He can't hurt her by revealing about his intentional neglect of his health. Moreover because he can't disclose the reason behind his action. But he could certainly make her happy so she doesn't feel sad for not having been able to go. And he knew just the right stuff.

'You remember Di, you told me once that there will come a girl in my life without whom my breath will stop.'

Anjali stilled at his composed tenor and slowly sat down on the side of his bed. He moved his legs aside to give her more space and met her eyes.

At first she was stunned but realizing what may come she couldn't help but develop great expectations though she tried to keep her hopes low.

'I tried not to, but I'm afraid I've fallen in love..' He whispered reaching out and held her hand.

Her eyes sparkled with glee as a wide smile crept up on her lips.

'Really Chote?' She drew in piercingly, not able to believe her own ears. 'I can't believe it. My Chote, my brother, the A.S.R is in love.'

He rolled his eyes at the disbelief in her voice as she pointed out his initials like that of a majesty.

Though she couldn't help but grab the opportunity of making fun of him once for all the years he's been mocking her for being so overly romantic, it wasn't to overshadow this incredible and joyful news.

If it wasn't for her handicapped leg, she would have jumped in the air for the impossible has occurred. Her brother, who claimed to not even believe in love has fallen for someone himself. He, who appeared to be devoid of the organ called heart has traded it with someone.

Her happiness knew no limit because Anjali knew that being in love is one of the best experience in the world. And she's contented that her brother is finally going through the wonderful phase.

But she composed herself for time being as the most important aspect of love came back to her. The partner.

'Ok, tell me. Who's that lucky girl?'

Even though her heart hoped and wished it to be the girl her and Nani had been rooting for, she won't be disappointment if it's someone else either. Because the most important thing was that he was finally in love.

Love.

A term so small with significant effects in people's lives.

A term with four mere words but able to put people in high spirits.

Just as she thought nothing could make her happier, she heard him take her name.

'Believe it or not, it's Khushi Kumari Gupta.'

One can imagine how it is to almost lose hope and then suddenly there shines a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. The immense elation and delight you feel, that's how Anjali felt.

Her Chote and Khushiji!?

That's a double dose.

'You have no idea how happy I am knowing you are in love with Khushiji. That's what I always wanted.' She squeezed his hand in affirmation and affectionately caressed the hair off his forehead.

'I thought you considered Khushi and NK--'

'That was only to make you jealous.'

She thinned her lips as he gawked at her realizing his sister and his grandmother's plans of their own. They knew it even before these two lovers?

He wondered who else noticed the sparks between them?

'I, I can't even express how--Oh my God, Nani will be so happy. Khushiji will be your wife. We will go tomorrow only and ask for her hand--' She sprang up leaving his hand and marched towards the door already but was hindered by him.

'No, Di!'

She turned back listening to his pleading yell.

'I mean, me and Khushi will marry but not so soon. You can't tell Nani or anyone.' He requested calmly as she eyed him in fuss.

Despite the urge of asking him, she let it rest with one beseeching look of his.

'Theek hai. For now I'm happy you love her and are ready to marry.'

She sighed and smiled pulling the duvet on him. He automatically slipped down to drop off after an exhausting day.

'Now you sleep. And in the morning, you'll have to tell me everything.' She quickly added before wishing him night.

He smiled just before closing his eyes and letting sleep take over.

'Sit down and eat properly Khusi.'

Khushi did not pay any heed to her mother's words and gulped down the last morsel of her paratha in haste, her orbs fixated towards the closed door.

'I'm done Amma. I gotta go. I'm already late.' She babbled and quickly grabbed her shoulder bag from the sofa.

'Offo Jiji, what do I do with this girl?' She grumbled to her sister-in-law who was feeding her brother. 'Khusi, sit and eat.'

'Don't worry Amma. I've got my tiffin. I'm off.' She said patting her bag twice and promptly hugged her father from behind 'Bye Babuji'

And next the Guptas saw their front door open and their Sanka Devi run out in seconds. They were least aware of the vehicle waiting for her since past ten minutes.

'Good morning.'

He greeted her tenderly in a husky voice as she hopped into the passenger's seat.

She glanced at him finally and loosened her posture. A smile spread on her face as she, with a pink face responded to his greeting.

'Aapko bhi, good morning.'

'So, shall we?' He asked keeping his hands on the key.

'Aren't you forgetting something?'

He raised his brows, motioning her to tell him.

She pressed her lips together and cleared her throat while simultaneously pointing to her left.

His eyes followed her lead and his lips shaped into his signature smirk.

Until now it was always him who needed to remind her of that but he could see where she was heading to.

Next he leaned forward and pulled the seatbelt. She drew back into the seat as he purposely grazed her arm. He halted just above her and took in the sight.

'Wow, Khushi Kumari Gupta ko sharmana bhi aata hai?' (KKG knows how to blush?)

She raised her lashes to have a view of his teasing leer. But the intentional proximity only intensified the blush on her face.

He let out a soft chuckle and moved back to buckle her belt. She held her scrutiny on him and now smiled freely.

He straightened his form while inserting the key into the ignition and throughout the drive Arnav Singh Raizada himself suffered the contagious smile syndrome he caught by her.

I know there wasn't a lot of Arshi in this update but next chapter will have lots of the love birds.
So hope you enjoyed.
Love,
Pari