The signal turned red causing all the vehicles from that direction to stop into their tracks. It was just a usual road in Delhi. The sun up the sky causing the temperature to rise. Loud horns polluting the street with noise. Men, women and children rushing in between the standing cars to sell balloons, flowers and toys respectively. And some to beg.

His white SUV was one of the hundreds of vehicles at that signal. His car, one of the very less things he treated himself after his business ran successfully. If Arnav wanted he could have afforded a BMW, an Audi or even a Lamborghini or a Jaguar. But this particular brand and such a SUV had been an eleven years old Arnav's dream car. And ASR wanted to fulfil one dream of his younger self, the boy who was the epitome of innocence and happiness. The boy who knew to live. The boy who was far away from the harsh reality of life. The boy who was no more!

Yet the boy seemed to be making a comeback slowly. The innocence couldn't return anymore. He had seen and matured too much for that. But the heart of an eleven years old Arnav Mallik was finding its way back to the world. The same heart ASR had locked into a corner. Yet he couldn't stop that same heart from beating for the one special person. Khushi Kumari Gupta.

And that's why when he dialled her number, his fingers didn't tremble anymore. He hesitated for a moment but didn't stop.

Khushi - Hello?

The light turned green. Shifting the gear back into the first one, he slowly left the clutch to get the car into rolling.

Arnav - Did I disturb your sleep?

*

Since the time Khushi was in Delhi, for the first time her bed felt large and spacious. She could twist and turn without the fear of pushing Payal off the bed. And yet she couldn't get the needed sleep. There were two reasons for that.

First, her Jiji wasn't beside her. She missed her. The house, their room, they felt so empty without her. She desired to keep her arms and legs on her beloved sister for a peaceful and comfortable sleep. But that wouldn't be anymore. The crushing thought made her feel so empty inside.

Whereas on the one hand she was devastated for her Jiji wouldn't be there to sleep with her anymore, her heart was on cloud nine. If there was sorrow, there was excitement too. The excitement of being in love. Butterflies erupted in her stomach whenever she would recall the rooftop incident. A ticklish sensation would take over. And that short talk in the night did not help better her state.

In short, she was wide awake the whole night. It was only early in the morning when finally she fell asleep.

It was around 10 AM when the ringtone of her phone hit her ears and in a partially unconscious state she moved her arm out of the blanket to attend the call.

Khushi - Hello?

Arnav quickly noticed the sleepy sound in her low voice. He understood she was still sleeping.

Arnav - Did I disturb your sleep?

Even though they both shared a much better relationship now, Khushi's eyes shot open and in no time she was sitting on the bed holding her phone. First he had been her devil of a ruthless boss at office and then at their home. And now he had turned into her prince charming. And everytime she woke up, she feared it was a dream. A beautiful dream.

Only after looking around at her room once and finding the decoration around, a sense of assurance occurred in her mind. It is real.

Khushi - Erm' no...it's ok. I was to wake up anyway.

Arnav - I was thinking...

After a break of few seconds he finally spoke in a flat voice followed by a pause again. Khushi curiously waited for him to speak up as he seemed to be collecting words in his mouth.

Arnav - Can we go out? I mean...can we meet somewhere today in the evening?

Once his appealing voice touched her eardrums, she fell back on the bed with a wide grin on her face. Her heartbeat took up on pace, as the same time a ticklish sensation ran through her stomach. She wondered if this was what people defined as being on cloud nine.

But that cloud disappeared in no time as reality hit her at sudden. She let out a dejected sigh.

Khushi - Arnavji, how can I? Buaji and Amma won't agree!

Arnav - Think of something. I'll pick you up at five. Bye.

He cut the call before she could decline again. She pouted looking at the disconnected phone. What will she do now? If Jiji was here, she would have managed somehow. Payal always had her back whenever she needed it. And currently she needed her the most.

*

Khushi - Jiji aa gayi!

She shrieked delightfully from the kitchen and almost jumped in joy before running to open the door. Garima and Khushi had been in kitchen since two hours preparing snacks and lunch for their "Damaad" and daughter who was coming to her "Maayka" for the first time after marriage.

Payal expected a warm welcome but had little idea of receiving bone crushing hugs by the Gupta ladies with Khushi being the unsatisfied one urging for long, tight and multiple hugs.

Payal - Khushi, I know you must have missed me a lot but I really don't intend to spend my Pag Phera ritual standing at the doorway only.

Khushi finally parted to express her annoyance with a dramatic grimace. And Akash standing at the door finally cleared his throat in order to make everyone aware of his presence.

Garima - Arrey Akash Bitua, why are you still standing at the door? Come in.

The greeting session came to an end finally after Khushi approached them with glasses of juice to serve.

Khushi - Jiji, drink this and come with me to our room. Quick!

Payal hardly finished her juice before being pulled into her old bedroom by her younger sister.

Khushi - Now tell me everything. How was your first day at your in-laws?

Payal - Very good. Everyone is so nice. I did the Pooja in the morning and then made Kheer. I got neg from Dadiji, Papa and Arnavji.

As soon Payal mentioned her Jethji, the excitement in Khushi's eyes was replaced by a sudden distress. She was reminded of their earlier phone call. He was coming to take her out but she hadn't managed to think of any excuse yet. She wondered if she should ask Jiji for help?

How will Jiji help me? She'll be gone till then.

Payal - Leave me and you tell me, why are you looking so upset?

Khushi - Ha?...Nothing Jiji, just...missed you so much. I couldn't even sleep properly without you.

Payal rubbed her back as Khushi threw her arms around her sister. So many emotions rushed through them at once.

Where on the one side both were happy for Payal got Akash as her husband, on the other side there was the sadness of Payal leaving her family and home.

Payal - It would have been so much fun if we could have gotten to marry into the same family. But unfortunately it isn't possible. God knows who's made for you and where he is.

A faint smile appeared on her face as images of their dance flashed through her mind. The images of their almost kiss on Diwali night.

If Devi Maiya wishes, we may end up in the same house only.

*

Khushi turned her gaze up to the clock. It were ten to five. Arnav will be there at anytime and she still didn't know how to get out of home. Babuji's medicines were stocked up. There were a lot of groceries left from wedding. She couldn't think of any other excuse.

As she paced the length of her room, Khushi thought about each time she drove to Shantivan with Arnav. It used to be so easy. She'd be sharing a drive with Arnav day and night when she didn't want to. And now when she wants to, she can't find any reason. Unfortunately she can't even lie about going to Raizada Mansion.

Her eyes fell on DM's statue on the table. Of course. Temple! She got it.

Khushi - Amma, I'm going to temple.

Garima - Khushi, wait. I'll come along. I didn't visit temple yet. I need to thank DM and offer prasad for marrying Payalia into such a nice family.

Khushi's eyes popped out at Garima's proposal. Feeling quite irritated, she held her head in both her hands.

She straightened herself immediately as Garima came out of the kitchen.

Khushi - But Amma, I'm here na. I'll do that. You may need to give Babuji his medicines.

Buaji - Ey Titliya, I'm here for Shashi Babua! Garima, you both go to temple.

Khushi grimaced innocently as Buaji was not at all helping in this matter. Just then her phone rang.

Arnavji's call. Seems he's here.

Garima - Khushi, let's go now.

She silenced the call and nodded at her mother hesitantly, then shook her head in negative.

Khushi - Woh, no Amma. Actually' um...I just remembered Preetika called me to come over. I'll visit her and come.

Buaji - Stop right there!

Buaji's taut voice had her glue to the spot just before she could step out of the house. Keeping her hands on her hips, Buaji appeared in front of her niece, looking at her with suspecting eyes.

Buaji - Preetika's Mom came to borrow flour a while ago. Preetika went to take care of her sick grandparents. Then which Preetika are you going to visit?

Her throat quickly dried up as Buaji caught her lie.

Hey Devi Maiyya, why are you doing this to me? Seems you don't want me to meet Arnavji.

Khushi - Accha? Maybe she fooled me...Amma, I'll come with you. Let's go.

Accepting her defeat, she walked out with Garima and went to the temple.

She stared the screen of her phone that showed a missed call. She was very well aware of his short temper. Arnav couldn't take a rejection. Yesterday he got angry at a mere denial for handhold. Today he's going to get stood by her.

Just one missed call. He didn't call again. I don't think he's going to talk to me ever again, let alone propose me.

*

Arnav had been on his way to her home only when he spotted her in a Rickshaw driving past. She was talking to her mother and hadn't seen the mix of anger and hurt in his eyes. His work was everything for her and yet he had neglected it for once for this girl so he could take her out somewhere. But she least cared it seems. Even though she didn't attend his call, he drove to Laxmi Nagar like a love sick puppy.

He felt so annoyed with his new self for letting this girl take over his mind and heart, for making himself vulnerable.

Taking an aggressive U-Turn he strode back to AR Designs. ASR wasn't going to sit back and play the emotional fool. He'll do what he is best at. Work.