Khushi threw a filthy look of distaste and twisted to opened the door. Shyam's eyes widened in horror at the sight of Anjali standing right there in front of the door. The frown of her eyes giving away the confusion in her mind.

Anjali had come up to see what was taking Khushi so long? And just as she was to open the door Khushi preempted revealing herself. But what got her thinking was Shyam standing behind. He seemed to be in dismay. Only question was why? What was he doing here? And why was the door closed?

Anjali - Shyamji, you here? Weren't you downstairs just now?

Khushi looked away becoming conscious of the growing discomfort at the situation she found herself in. What if Anjali misunderstands her? It probably didn't matter to Shyam but to her it did matter what Anjali thinks of her. She is Arnavji's sister.

Shyam - Woh...Rani Sahiba, I just came here to freshen up. But Khushiji couldn't find the gift so I helped her search it.

Anjali's expression loosened at his excuse. She nodded in denial as her husband approached her side and passing her his fakest smile playing the ever so sweet hubby. Even though it was Shyam who was lying shamelessly, Khushi couldn't gather the courage to look her in the eyes.

Khushi - Anjaliji, this...

Anjali beamed at Khushi as she handed her the box and strode away in quick steps. Shyam watched her stroll away as he himself walked alongside his wife with his hands kept around her shoulders for support. A kind of support he didn't wish to give. He'd rather push her off the stairs and get rid of her forever. It was only if he did so, he may not only lose everything but also his own life for Arnav may not leave him alive after killing his sister. In order to achieve both all the wealth in Anjali's name and Khushiji it was necessary for him to stay innocent in everyone's eyes.

*

She entered his territory after an affirmation from inside and took in the usual calmness of the place. His room reflected an unexpectedly positive aura at her. Despite being a bachelor's pad with monotone ashened colors and minimal ornamentation it awoke a feeling of certainty in her. Nowhere else in the whole spacious mansion she felt more comfortable than in this very place.

Her eyes scanned through the leeway before stepping ahead and towards the poolside, the area where many of the memorable encounters between them took place with the almost kiss from Diwali night being the most important one.

Arnav - What are you doing here?

His penetrating and taut voice pulled her out of her stance alerting her of his famous anger still having claimed its rightful place on his nose. Khushi let out a sigh in exasperation.

Khushi - Why are you so?

Withdrawing his fingers from the keyboard he got up on his feet. She didn't know why but his mere act of standing resulted in her fiddling with the veil of her Saree which certainly didn't go unnoticed by her.

She was aware of his expectation. He didn't voice it out but was waiting for her to express herself in comprehensible words. As nothing else came from her he startled her with his question.

Arnav - Why did you wear this Saree?

True, when she wore the Saree he chose for her she did not foresee him ask this question for obvious reasons. But on the other side she did not forget - rather say he did not let her forget she was having it with the ruthless, moody and unpredictable Raizada. He could do and utter anything.

She still had been struggling with her heart and mind over the matter of apologizing for yesterday evening before his interrogation started. As she was anyway here to ask for his forgiveness for yesterday she didn't make any effort of lying. There was no place for lies if this thing between them was to work. They wouldn't get far with lies. Already they weren't going well without lies.

Khushi - I wore this to pacify you. I know you like this and wanted to see me in it.

Arnav was not convinced by her truth. Instead his pulse only quickened at the audacity of her for openly playing games with him, ASR!

Khushi - And I am really sorry for yesterday. I couldn't come...

Her innocent act of holding her ears while smiling nervously had little effect on her. Hell, he was least bothered about being stood up. Admitted, he was angry on her but he was a molten man after she appeared in the pink Saree today. Buy why make appeasing efforts when she anyway chose NK? Why apologize when she was least bothered about him?

He was somewhat okay with her flirting harmlessly with NK to make him jealous during the period of Akash and Payal's wedding. But it was difficult for him to accept her newly found craze of going on dates with his cousin in spite of showing open interest in himself.

https://youtu.be/Y0G83irivRM

Adrenaline spun through him, and he motioned towards her clutching her forearms in both his hands.

Arnav - It was your choice. I did not force you for anything!? I left it on you, didn't I? The final decision was yours. Then why play this game of interest? What do you want?

Khushi did not flinch under his soft touch. He was not hurting her. He was not yelling at her. This was unusual. She could clearly spot the hurt in his eyes and yet he did not harm her. What was he trying to say? She could not get it either.

Khushi - I...I don't understand anything Arnavji.

Arnav left her with a little push and turned around closing his eyes. Why should he explain it to her when she was only playing with his heart? Damn these feelings. Damn his heart. And damn this love.

Arnav - Just leave from here. GET OUT!

She jerked in angst and a lone tear escaped her eye as she slowly stepped back heaving with trembling legs and a heavy heart.

He kept his firm posture and did not look back at her again. He couldn't do it, he lacked the energy and willpower for that. Not after the betrayal.

She ran away and out of his room. She couldn't be here anymore. She just wanted to go home.

He fell back into his chair and leaned behind. This bloody Love, it was difficult and hurting. Why did he have to fall in love? Life was good. It was perfect before. Bachelorhood, girlfriends, no lifelong commitments and no heartache.

Life was so simple without this crazy stupid love.

*

Laughter echoed into the living area, making Shantivan's each and every corner live up to its fullest. Reason being Nand Kishore's jolly nature and his broken Hindi. Only the one Gupta person sitting amongst the Raizadas was deprived from any kind of joy; a glint of dejection apparent in her hazel eyes while her face lacked of expressions.

Anjali - Khushiji, what happened? You seem a bit sad.

Anjali's fruity voice rang into her ears bringing Khushi out of her misery and become conscious of the environment. Nobody present in the room was aware of her inner turmoil. Keeping all her mental stress aside, she masked on a pseudo smile.

Khushi - Nothing like that Anjaliji. I was just thinking I should leave now.

NK - So soon?

Anjali raised her eyebrows at him in amusement. Before she could ask Khushi to stay a little longer, NK already reacted. As it was bound to happen Anjali recognized the tender way he glanced at Khushi. Her eyes darted towards Nani who was beaming at the girl she intended to make her Chote's wife oblivious to someone else's affective stare. Making a mental note of keeping it in mind for later, she focused on Khushi's departure for now.

Nani - Khushi bitiya, do keep coming home often. Being Payal bitiya's sister, you are also a part of this family now.

Ignoring the dissented glares of Mami, Khushi nodded smiling and embraced Payal before leaving.

*

She was not yet out of the Shantivan's premises when a cordial voice of someone familiar halt her in the track. She turned around with a frown to look at NK approaching her with fast strides.

NK - Woh Khushiji, I forgot to ask you, when do I pick you up tomorrow?

Khushiji - Pick me up? But why?

Unaware of the fact that she had absentmindedly agreed for going on a date with him tomorrow, she pondered if they were to go somewhere in the upcoming day.

NK - We were to go for a coffee...!? I asked you inside, remember?

He couldn't comprehend her perplexed expression. So eventually he felt the need to help her recall the moment.

NK - When Payal bhabhi's Muh dikhai was on inside!?

The realization came slow and late, but clear; leaving her physically paralysed for a moment. Not only did she cite him asking her but also conceived the reason of her Arnavji's anger. He had been standing just behind NK.

She mentally chided herself for being so stupid and nodding at NK without even listening to him.

Just one nod.

One bloody nod.

This one nod changed the course of their relationship. He is under the impression that she is going on a date with his cousin.

The final decision was yours. Then why play this game of interest? What do you want?

It made sense now.

Game of interest.

She sighed. Now that she came face to face with the truth, she could perform damage control and soothe her Laad Governor.

A huge grin emerged on her face.

NK observed her surface go through several expressions altogether.

NK - Khushiji?

She looked at him not able to stop herself from smirking.

Khushi - Nanheji, I'm really sorry but I can't go for a coffee with you.

Jumping in her mind she twisted on a foot to run out of Shantivan.

*

In no time she found her fingers dialling his number as soon she got into the Auto Rickshaw. It was as if someone took off a huge burden from her heart. Her mind only worked on clearing the misunderstanding and mending things with him.

Her heart thudded so loudly, eagerly waiting to hear his husky voice through the phone.

Hmphf. Laad Governor! Not even once he just asked me directly for why I'm agreeing to go out with Nanheji! Arrogant and egoistic as always.

...and yet you fell for him.

Her heart defended him when her own mind complained about Arnav's behaviour.

She didn't deny what was true. Arnav's personality and temper was an open book to her.

But another truth was that he had softened so much in the last months. She had seen concern and affection for her in his eyes. And two days ago when he kept that Bindi on the mirror she had worn it in acceptance. It was a silent declaration of love from her side.

Her jaw dropped as the sound of her call being cut pierced through her ears. She redialled it only to have her call cut again.

He's cutting my call. So rude.

She bit her nails in an uneasiness thinking how will she reach him now?

If he was at home she would have directly made her way back even before stepping out of Shantivan or waited for him to return. Anjaliji would have asked her brother to drop Khushi back home after dinner. She would have gotten the perfect chance to talk to him then and sort it out.

But he had gone back to office and she was almost in Laxmi Nagar already.

Why are you so difficult Arnavji? Please attend my call once.

She clutched her heart once with a sigh before trying her luck again.