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"So this is what you all have designed for Di?"

Khushal and Riana felt miserable. They had disappointed the great ASR. But both of them had believed in Khushi's potential and she had always proved them right. They failed to understand how Khushi had let them down now? Khushal was unable to look Arnav in the eye.

"Hello Khushal??? Riana??? I'm talking to you guys. Where are you lost?"

"Nothing like that Arnav. I am sorry... "

"What are you sorry about. I was saying that, this Lehenga is just too perfect for Di. Your sister designed this? "

Khushal and Riana were wonderstruck.

"Yeah Khushi did this, with zero inputs from either of us. In fact she didn't even want to see the pictures saying she'd like to do it without any pre-conceived notions about what will suit Anjali or not."

"Wow man, I would like to meet her. I mean how did she know. You know, the changes I was talking about, I wanted a shade like this for the material. I even wanted a simple and weightless design and this one turned out to be perfect. This is just amazing and I'm sure Di will love it"

"That is my sister's magic."

"I have to admit, your sister is so not like you. I mean, she is talented."

"Wait-wait, OMG, when did ASR start joking?" Riana interrupted the two friends.

"My entire life has become a joke Riana. What else am I supposed to do?

Riana felt bad for bringing up that question. They never asked him what happened. They only knew that he had hurried up and got married one fine morning, there were some problems in his married life and his wife had left him. But they didn't know why. They didn't want to push him, not wanting to hurt him.

"Where is Khushi?" Khushal asked Riana. Arnav was shocked for a second as he thought the question was directed at him but then he registered the fact that Khushal was talking about his sister to his wife.

"She was just here. In fact, she rushed out just before you guys showed up."

Khushal took his phone to call Khushi

"Oh my beautiful behna, where are you?"

"Bhai, I am at home with Rishi"

"Oh," Kushal didn't ask anything and continued speaking "cool then, we'll be there in a few minutes. You know, ASR loved the Lehenga you made for Anjali. Congratulations."

"Really bhai? Wow That is great news for me. Please thank him for me." Khushi wasn't really surprised, she knew that Arnav would surely like the design and colour for Di.

"You can tell him yourself. See you in a bit. Bye" Kushal said ending the call.

"But bhai..." But before Khushi could reply she heard a beep from the other end indicating the call had ended.

"She went home urgently. She's with Rishi" Khushal said turning to face Arnav and Riana.

"So ASR, let's go to my home. I'll introduce you to my lovely sister. I rarely get to show her off. She is an introvert you know"

'So unlike my Khushi.' Arnav thought to himself.

"I am so sorry Khushal, forgive me. There is only three days left for Di's wedding and I have a lot of things to do. I have to go"

"But.."

"Trust me when I say I want to join you guys and thank your sister personally for doing such a good job. But, not today. After the wedding, I will show up and stay until you guys ask me to leave. By the way, you all are coming no on Sunday? You know this is going to be a small function, the four of you have to be present.

"Of course we are coming."

"Cool then, see you on Sunday. Bye."

"Bye" Kushal said before Arnav hurried out

Arnav left taking the Lehenga with him. Khushal and Riana left for home. Meanwhile Khushi was tensed thinking how she would face him after a gap of three and a half years. But she had no other choice. Even if she tried to escape her brother would find out the truth. So she was now prepared to face him. She was prepared now to face the great Arnav Singh Raizada after all these years.

Khushi opened the door expecting to see him again. But no. It was just her Bhai and Bhabhi.

"ASR had to go. Lots of things to do before the wedding."

Khushi felt relieved. At least this time she escaped.

"And yeah Khushi, we have to leave on Saturday. We are going to Anjali's wedding."

"But Bhai, I don't know anyone there. What would I do there?" On the contrary, she would know everyone there and she knew lying was bad.

"You'll know us Khushi. And the rest of them, we'll get acquainted with them once we reach there."

This was another big task ahead of her. Today she had escaped but she knew that she won't be able to do that again. She couldn't go back to Shantivan as such. Khushi was in a trauma , and was thinking of ways to get past the hurdle in front of her.

Anjali's sangeet was going on in full swing. Arjun was there. Arnav was back from Mumbai but was not to be seen anywhere.

Arnav was standing alone by the poolside. He had failed to understand his love, his wife, his Khushi. She had told him many a times that she never loved Shyam and how he had tricked them into believing him. It was all his fault that his Khushi was not with him. He went back to the day which turned his life upside down

~~~FLASHBACK ~~~

It was the last day of the 6th month.

"Arnavji, please trust me for once. I am telling you the truth. If you want, please ask Payal jiji"

"Khushi, you think I will go and ask Payal about all this? You are mistaken Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. It is just a matter of few more hours, and then I will be free. You will go back to being Khushi Kumari Gupta. You will leave my life for good and then everything will be fine.

And then he walked out of his room. Khushi watched his retreating form while she sat there crying. By about 11:45 she stood up. He had not returned , she had a last look at their, no his room. She left without telling anyone.

Arnav returned to him room in the morning. She had gone. Her bags were gone. He wanted to kill himself for doing this to her but she, she had deceived him, his family. Shyam then walked into his room.

"What happened saale saheb Khushiji left?"

"What difference does that make to you?" Arnav almost shouted.

"Saale saheb, you know, I feel bad for you. I mean, you decided to trust my words more than your wife's. I mean, what all did she not do to make you believe. Well, you'll have to pay for your actions and choices." It hurt. His words hurt more than it would've if Shyam had punched him.

"What do you mean you dirty bastard?" Arnav did not hold back his emotions this time.

"All I am saying is saale saheb, whatever Khushiji told you was the truth. You know, she hates me as much as she loves you. I am the one who lied to you. Sadly, you chose to believe the wrong person. But, what can be done now." Shyam said with his twisted smile.

Arnav was shattered. He held Shyam by his collar and started bashing him up. Shyam finally managed to escape and he went near Anjali who was having trouble on climbing down the stairs.

"Why are the two of you running around like kids?"

Shyam finally caught hold of Anjali

"Arnav stop now, else I will push your sister down the stairs."

Arnav stopped. Anjali was shocked at what she hear her husband say. Her Shyamji. The mere reason for her existence.

"Chotte, what kind of sick joke is this?"

"This is not a joke rani sahiba, this is the real truth. I have never loved you. The only person I've ever loved is Khushiji. From the moment I laid my eyes on her in the street in Lucknow while she was running form those goons. Oh ASR, I never got to thank you for that. If you'd not released those tapes, I would've never met Khushiji. But, you married her for six months and took her away from me. Now six months are over and she's gone. What would I do staying here?" Saying taht he pushed Anjali down the stairs. The whole family was shocked. Arnav rushed to his DI. They immediately rushed her to the hospital. Arnav informed the Police about Shyam and got him arrested.

The doctor came out of the operation theatre.

"Mr. Raizada we are extremely sorry. We couldn't save her child."

"Doctor Di,... how is my sister doing?"

" She is still unconscious. She will take time to recover. She will be fine"

~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~

And as Arnav stood there looking at the stars a lone tear escaped his eyes.

"Arnav are you ok???". The sound broke Arnav's spell. He turned around to see a concerned Arjun standing there beside him.

"Hey Arjun, you are here???"

"Oh hello hero, Where are you lost? You do remember that my Sangeet ceremony is going on downstairs. Where else would I be?"

"Sorry Arjun... that.. I mean..."

"Is it about Khushi?"

"Yeah...."

" I know. Trust me, things will get better. "

"You know Arjun, I can feel that she is nearby. I don't know where, but she is hiding. I wouldn't blame her, who would want to come back to me."

"Don't worry Arnav. We will find her. As soon as I am married, I am taking up the mission of finding your happiness, your Khushi. Wherever she, whichever country, whatever state, we will find her man. "

"Thanks Arjun"

"You are welcome dude. Now come attend your sister and best friend's Sangeet ceremony."

"You go first. I'll join you guys in some time." Arnav said pushing away his to be brother in law.

Khushi was thinking of plans to avoid going to Delhi. She could not present it directly since they would suspect. She had to plan things smoothly to get herself out of the situation. She thought and thought and finally gave in accepting defeat. She would have to face her Laad Governor . She went down from her room to have dinner.

"Rishi stop running beta. You'll fall down and hurt yourself. Eat this." Riana was running behind a superfast Rishi, with his dinner in her hand.

"Mumma, I don't want to eat."

"Khushi come join me. If we wait for the two of them we will die of hunger" Khushal spoke up from the dining table.

Khushi smiled and walked towards her brother going past her running nephew and Bhabhi.

Suddenly she heard a crashing sound and found herself running towards Rishi who was crying at the top of his voice.

"Rishi beta, I told you you'll fall. Now look at all the blood." Riana said in a concerned tone while Khushal called for the doctor.

"Bua, it hurts" Rishi cried hugging Khushi. He was really close to her. After all she was there since the day he was born.

"No Rishi beta. Relax baby. It'll be fine. Bua is there for you." Khushi replied hugging Rishi

Doctor came and Rishi was bandaged. Khushi sat with him made him eat dinner and made him sleep. She got an idea.

'Seems like Devi Maiyya also doesn't want me to go there. I'll persuade Bhai and Bhabhi to let me stay here with Rishi.' Khushi thought to herself. She had made up her mind that at any cost she would stay in Mumbai that weekend.

It was Saturday morning and Khushi was in Rishi's room when Khushal and Riana entered. Khushi had by now tricked Rishi on not going to Delhi and Bua's laadla had fell for her plan.

"Khushi, are you packed for the trip?" Riana asked

"Bhabhi, what packing?" Khushi asked feigning surprise.

"We are going to Anjali's wedding remember. The flight is scheduled for today evening"

"But Bhabhi, Rishi is not well. I don't think he feels like travelling. Maybe just you and bhai should go. I'll stay here and take care of Rishi."

"Mumma, I don't want to go. I'll stay here with Bua." Rishi, as Khushi expected, cried out.

"But beta you wanted to meet ASR, remember?" Kushal said coming into the room.

"No no no. I'll meet him some other time. I want to stay here."

"Ok fine. If you both want to stay here, stay. I am not going to force you both to come with us." Kushal gave in.

She had succeeded. She had successfully dodged another bullet. Khushi thanked her Devi Maiyya a lot for helping her out of the situation. Khushal and Riana left for the airport in the evening. Arnav was at the Airport to receive him.

"My sister's designed didn't come? And Rishi, where is he?" Arnav asked as he helped the couple with their luggage.

"What to do ASR. Rishi was looking forward to seeing you. But he hurt himself yesterday and didn't want to travel. SO Khushi volunteered to take care of him so that we won't miss the function."

" I haven't thanked your Khushi personally for that beautiful dress no. And I had a surprise planned for Rishi. I had promised him last time. Anyway, now let's go"

They reached Raizada mansion. Shanthivan was not much decorated since the marriage was a low profile one. Only close friends and relatives were there. The Guptas , Raizadas and some very good friends of Arnav, Arjun and Anjali were the only ones invited.

"Come in beta , how are you? We have heard a lot about you, haven't got the chance to meet before no." Naaniji said to Khushal as he entered with Riana and Arnav.

"Naaniji I am good."

"What about your son? And your sister?" she enquired further. Kushal explained the situation to the family as they settled down amongst other guests.

Khushal and Riana were then introduced to other members of the family. Payal never knew such a brother existed for Khushi. Only Shashi and Garima had known that apart from Khushi all these years and hence Payal never thought that way around. Khushal and Riana freshened up and came down for dinner. All the family members except Arnav were present.

"Where is Arnav?" Khushal asked.

"Khushalji, I think he is in his room. Let me go look for him"

"Thanks Anjali."

Anjali went upstairs looking for Arnav while Khushal and Riana got into a conversation with the rest of the family members.

Arnav was in his room looking at the numerous photos of Khushi pinned to the wall. He had tears in his eyes. Anjali entered, which went unnoticed by him.

"Chotte"

"Di, when did you..?"

"I just came in Chotte, you know, downstairs everyone is waiting for you at the dinner table."

"Di, I am not hungry. You guys continue without me."

"Chotte, I know you are thinking about Khushiji... "

"No Di.."

"Chotte, you know you can't lie to me. I can read you like an open book. But, today, I want to tell you something"

"Yeah Di..."

"Chotte..."

"Di, you can tell me anything"

"Chotte, please get married again."

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I will try and update this every Saturday as promised

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