She twisted and turned in her bed not being able to sleep. She wanted to talk to him. They hadn't talked after he dropped her home in the afternoon. And it was eleven in night already. She would have called him herself but she was hesitating.

And then finally the ringing of her cell caused her heart to almost jump out in ecstasy. She grinned idiotically as she attended his call.

Khushi - He-llo...? Arnavji?

To her annoyance he didn't respond to her greeting. She pouted in disbelief and looked at the caller id to check up if it was his call only. The displayed showed Arnavji.

Khushi - If you didn't want to talk, why did you call then?

Arnav - To listen to your voice.

She blushed thinning her lips and turned to lie on one side comfortably.

Khushi - Oh. So you don't want to talk but want to listen to my voice? Does that mean I have to talk to myself? Have a conversation with my own self? Ask something and then answer it myself?

Arnav chuckled at her monologue.

She's crazy.

Khushi - Now say something. Anything...Did you have dinner?

Arnav - Yes.

His reply was short making her sulk in frustration as to why he can't talk?

Khushi - And when did you retire from office?

Arnav - An hour ago.

She frowned and withdrew the phone to confirm if it was eleven in the night only.

Khushi - Why so late?

Arnav - Work.

She rolled her eyes at his casual response.

Khushi - Really? I thought you go there for time pass only, because you get bored of not being able to boss around at home.

Arnav couldn't help but let out a soft laugh at her sarcasm and mocking.

Arnav - Actually, the annual fashion show will be taking place in summer. Already due to the wedding, I've neglected things to a great extent.

Khushi - Ya, I understand. But don't neglect your health in it. Eat and sleep on time. Or else-

She stopped leaving her sentence incomplete into the mid air, getting his curiosity high. Her concern had already made butterflies erupt in his stomach.

Arnav - Or else what?

Khushi bit her lower lip in anticipation. She couldn't see him but could picture him resting on his bed and adoring his signature smirk.

Khushi - Or else I won't talk to you.

Truth to be told she hadn't thought anything before blabbering the 'or else' out but her options were limited. There was nothing more she could do. And he was cognizant to the fact but still asked to tease her.

Arnav - In that case I'll take care of myself, can't risk not listening to your voice anymore.

She beamed and raised her brows at the same in amusement as well in shyness at his comment.

Khushi - So what are you doing now?

Arnav - Nothing much. I'm in bed, ready to sleep.

His answer had a rather guilty effect on her. She considered the amount of time he spent at office, working himself to exhaustion and thought he deserves some rest now.

Khushi - Am also sleepy here. Let's get to sleep.

Arnav - Listen...let's meet tomorrow, if you can.

She flushed thinking about it. Sneaking out secretly to meet the man she loves, how exciting. But her stomach churns thinking about last time. It didn't go well that time but now she's prepared with an excuse. Even though she feels horrible lying to her mother, she'll again have to do it. For him.

Khushi - I'll come, this time for sure. But not in the evening. Amma and Buaji are more likely to let me out during daytime.

Arnav - Ok then, see you tomorrow.

She nodded absentmindedly already in thoughts about tomorrow. She's going to see him, they're going on a date. That's going to be so different from all the times they've met. This time they're in love and aware of each other's feelings.

Khushi - So let us sleep, I mean good night?

Arnav - Ya. Good night.

He withdraws and disconnects the call making her jaw drop.

He just cut the call? Hmpf. Laad Governor. Doesn't know anything about the rule of 'pehle aap, pehle aap'.

She was to call back but dropped the idea eventually. She twisted her mouth in agitation and snuggled into the comforter developing a naughty smirk on her lips.

Doesn't matter. I'll teach him soon. For now he needs sleep. Next time then.

*

Anjali entered her bedroom with a jug full of water in her hand and rested it on the side table. She glanced at her husband who looked as he was in deep thoughts.

Probably worried about work.

If Anjali could read his mind she would acknowledge Shyam was least bothered about work. Most of the time he was fantasizing about the girl she fancied to make her mother's bahu. It would make her sick to know what were his plans with her, her brother and her most-probably-to-be sister-in-law. She would hate herself for falling in love with this disgusting man.

Unfortunately she couldn't read his mind. And so it was she loved and respected her husband a lot for he was the only one person who accepted and loved her despite her physical disability. The fact that she was the only sister of a rich businessman was generously neglected by the whole family including the brother himself.

Anjali - I've never asked for anything from you.

That was the keyword for him to dart his eyes at her. Shyam needed to listen to her.

Any other husband would get worried at that. What is his wife going to demand now? A necklace, a ring or an expensive Sari? No. Shyam wasn't worried like any other husband would be for he knew Anjali would never ask for anything. She had numerous credit cards of her brother and could buy whatever she wanted.

Shyam - I know and I wish you do that sometimes. After all that's what makes a wife.

He boasted a plastic smile at her who failed to see through the empty words.

Anjali - Wish granted.

She took place on the bed beside him and hugged his arm with a genuine smile.

Anjali - Please don't get any girl for Chote's alliance. I know what he wants and whom he wants. And he doesn't want any arranged marriage.

Shyam - And again you start!

Anjali withdraw feeling an uneasy taunt in his tone.

Shyam - Listen Rani Sahiba, I want to see Arnav happy and I'll do whatever I can for that. I'll show Naniji photos of some girls. I believe her to pick up the most suitable girl for her grandson.

Anjali - Fine. Do whatever you want. Don't listen to me. Call some girls and their parents home to have them insulted by Chote and sent away. Because I know my brother and he won't even meet anyone for alliance. Best of luck with your attempts.

Anjali for once spoke against her husband and furiously laid down to sleep with her back facing Shyam who was least bothered about her worries.

Truth to be told he didn't want Arnav to marry anyone. Shyam was fully relying on his brother-in-law's money for a carefree and luxurious life, and he didn't want that to change. Not today, not ever.

*

Khushi was seated at a round table under the parasol with her gaze fixated on the cerulean water in the pool. He had called in the morning and informed her about this cafe near the headquarters of AR. Upon coming here she got to know he'd even reserved a table for them here. It was in a corner distanced from everyone else and offered audible privacy.

And no doubt the pool cafe was alluring in a sunny day like today. The shiny bright weather enhanced its beauty to the fullest. It so much looked like the poolside in Shantivan. Here too the pool was surrounded by healthy plants and colourful flowers. The blue cloudless sky was reflected into the crystal clear water.

She was ten minutes earlier and got enough time to ponder about the relationship they shared. She was unsure what to call it and what was her future going to be like? When will he ask her to marry him? Will he ever? Does he even intend to marry her? What if his point of view regarding marriage still hasn't changed and he will rather have her live in with him?

She shook her head back and forth in disbelief at her own scrutiny.

No. Arnavji won't do that. He...he knows me, my morals.

But he had had wanted to live with Lavanyaji without marriage too.

Yes but he agreed later on.

He did. After he almost kissed you. He did that to make you jealous! And he called it off soon, breaking Lavanyaji's heart.

But he won't do that to me. He loves me truly, I can feel it. He will marry me! ...Or?

The little dialogue of hers in her head with her own self was put on hold once her eyes detected a familiar person in aviators stalking towards her.

Arnav - Hi.

A smile appeared on her lips on its own, her heart jumped in sudden excitement despite the inner turmoil.

He took a seat right in front of her and uncovered his chocolate brown orbs.

Arnav - I hope you didn't have to wait much.

Khushi - No, you're on time.

If it weren't for the waiter the two love birds would have spent their time just ogling one another with the most enchanting gaze ever and time would have gone by without notice.

They looked through the menu and Khushi gulped at the prices. It wasn't a cheap restaurant at all. And even though the choice of low-cost items wasn't large, Khushi felt difficulty into choosing between a tea and a small salad.

Arnav places his order of a coffee and a sandwich in no time. Khushi still looked through and then finally ordered a simple tea.

So much money for a cup of tea. All loots here.

Arnav - And do you want to eat?

Khushi - Nothing. I'm not really hungry. Tea is enough.

Arnav smiled at her in distrust. It wasn't the first time he was sitting with her at a restaurant. It had occurred before. She had complained about the high prices. And he very well knew it was the same reason she wasn't ordering anything here. But he wasn't letting his girlfriend pay on their first official date.

Waiter - Anything else?

Arnav - Yes. A veg grilled cheese sandwich and Jalebis.

The boy wrote down the order on his notepad but hesitated at the latter item.

Waiter - I'm sorry sir but we don't have Jalebis. We do have other desserts-

Arnav - I know. But there are sweets shops in the nearby.

A thousand rupees note was enough for the boy to agree to that beneficial deal.

Khushi - Arnavji, what was that? I don't want Jalebis. Don't waste money unnecessarily.

Khushi leaned forward pressing her chest against the table before she once again spoke in filmy annoyance.

Khushi - I don't want to have Jalebis. I just want tea, nothing else.

Arnav - But I want you to have them. I know Jalebis make you happy, they improve your mood and you appear...a bit distressed.

He attempted to hold her hand but in vain. She pulled it back even before he could touch her. He disliked the refusal but kept quiet. It was their first date and he had no intentions of shooing her away with his world famous anger. Instead he contrived to be more tolerating...towards Khushi at least.

Khushi - I'm not distressed...I'm just...I was just thinking about us.

Arnav - Thinking about us? What do you mean?

Khushi gulped. She regretted having blurted it out. How was she supposed to put her thoughts into words? She couldn't share her fears and desires with him, not that directly.