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Everything had gone well in the fashion week. It was the last day and the finale would start within hours. The finalists did not even know each other. The four finalist were the AR group, Mystique collections, Royal companies and the Verma Designs. Khushi had been very busy with the work and was really happy that she could help her company reach the finals. Even then she was feeling nervous. She took out her phone and dialled home.

"Hello bhai"

It was Riana who answered the call.

"How are you Khushi? Congratulations on making it to the finals."

"Yeah Bhabhi. But I am feeling really nervous."

"Khushi, there is no need to be nervous. Everything will be fine and I am damn sure you will win it this year for us. " Riana's confidence in her did not help. She wanted to hear it from her brother.

"Is bhai there, Bhabhi?"

"He is on a call I think. I'll ask him to call you." Riana told her sister in law.

"Ok Bhabhi. Thank you. By the way how is Rishi?"

"He is playing in his room. He misses you Khushi. You guys haven't stayed apart like this entire life no. I mean he is ok without me or Kushal. He asks for you every other hour."

"I miss him too Bhabhi. I can't believe I haven't seen him in a week. I can't believe I haven't spoken to you guts for that long. It's been really hectic till today."

"I know how it gets Khushi. You don't worry about anything, all the best."

Meanwhile Khushal was talking to Arnav over his phone.

"You reached man?"

"Yeah Kushal. Reached a couple of hours back. You ready to lose again?" Arnav asked

"Keep dreaming man. You are not going to win against my sister this time."

"Oh yeah, I completely forgot you are hiding behind your sister's talent. She here?"

"She has been there for the past week. You'd like to meet her?"

"Of course, yaar, why not?"

"You know what, you can meet her during the final round introductions. Just before she beats you."

Arnav chuckled and said, "Whatever you say."

"I need to talk to my Khushi now, talk to you later." Kushal said

"Ok then, bye."

"One minute man, I have a surprise for you." Kushal said instead of ending the call.

"Surprise? What surprise could you have possibly planned for me?"

"You'll know when you see it." That was cryptic.

"Okay" Arnav said, a bit unsure.

"All the best. I know you won't win. Bye" Kushal said and ended the call before Arnav could rebut the statement.

Khushal called Khushi next.

"How is my lovely behna doing?"

"Bhai, finally. You don't know how long I've been waiting to talk to you. I am so nervous bhai. I don't think I can do this."

"Khushi, Khushi, behna please relax. There is no need to be nervous. I know you can do it. I know you have the potential to win this. I believe in you."

"I know bhai, but.."

"No buts Khushi. I know you can and you will."

"Thanks bhai. Your confidence in me shocks me."

"It doesn't shock me Khushi, because I know you. All the best Khushi. I am with you, just a phone call away."

"Thanks bhai. Talk to you later."

"Bye Khushi"

Khushal ended the call.

"By the way Khushi, I have a surprise for you as well. But, I am not telling you anything. Not yet. I don't want you to know about my involvement yet, because I don't know how you are going to react. So, I want you to be blissfully unaware of the fact that I know you were married to ASR." Kushal said to himself.

Khushi was in a dilemma regarding what to wear. At last, she picked up the red saree gifted to her by Arnav for designing Anjali's Lehenga. Looking at the mirror, Khushi liked what she saw. For a moment there, she thought she saw her Arnavji next to her, in the reflection. She longed to be with her Arnavji, but the ego which she got from him would not allow her to forgive him so soon.

It was finally time to go. She picked up the clutch she had chosen earlier to go with her outfit. She inserted some cash, her phone and the room's key card into it before closing the door behind her. The function had finally began. Loud music was going on. She felt her heart go dhak-dhak again. The familiar sensation was back.

"No way he can't be here." She thought to herself.

"If Arnavji was coming, Bhai would have showed up. He wouldn't have sent me, right?' she was unsure, but still reasoned herself and ignored her heart.

Meanwhile Arnav felt Khushi to be around him as well, especially when she had uttered his name.

"Khushi? Is Khushi here? Kushal's sister cant be my Khushi, can she be..? Kushal has seen my Khushi's pictures. He would've said something. He would've probably hit me, hearing the mental torture I subjected Khushi to, if she was his sister." Arnav hadn't been so unsure of things in a while. So, Arnav kept aside all the possibilities and got immersed in his phone so that his mind wouldn't wander off to Khushi's thoughts.

The finale had started. The Anchor was on stage.

"So this year we have two new finalists along with our last year's winner and runner up. I would like to call on stage Mr. Rohan Mehra head designer of the Mystique collections and Mr. Viraat Vadhera of Royal Companies." The lady announced in her strong British accent.

Two men emerged from the two opposite ends of the stage facing each other. Mr. Rohan Mehra was a man in his forties whereas Viraat Vadhera was younger, hot and dashing.

They walked the ramp after greeting each other. Walked back and stood next to the anchor.

"Next we have upon stage the head designer of the Verma designs, last year's runner up, Mr. Khushal Verma .., oops sorry we have a replacement, unlike all years this time we have Ms. Khushi Verma, co-owner of Verma Designs representing them instead, and as usual, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada representing AR Group, our last year's winner."

Khushi had gone blank by the time she heard her name being announced and could not pay attention to the rest of the sentence. Now the spotlight fell on both Arnav and Khushi facing each other. Arnav noticed her. She hadn't changed much in the one and a half years. She was looking breathtakingly beautiful in the red saree he designed. That means Khushi Verma is none other than his Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada. That means this is what Khushal meant by the surprise.

'Wait that means he came to know last week when he told him about his past?' – Arnav wondered.

Khushi on the other hand was shocked. She could now understand the reason for the rise in her heartbeats. She couldn't back out now. She had to face him, at least for her brother. They walked the ramp with thoughts of each other in mind. She could feel his gaze upon her. She did not dare to look at him again. But her Devi Maiyya had planned it the other way around. She slipped and was about to fall when Arnav caught hold of her. He held her by her waist. They shared an eye-lock.

Khushal was watching the live telecast of the finale online. He had phoned Arjun to tell trhem to show up urgently in Mumbai. Arjun and Anjali had showed up an hour ago. Anjali was finally happy that Arnav had finally found his Khushi. At least now he only had to woo her back and she knew her Chotte would succeed in that since now he was a changed man. As the camera zoomed in, they saw the pair gaze into each other's eyes, enjoying the moment, just like the audience.

Memories came flooding to both Khushi and Arnav, the position they were in now, this was not something new, but both of them felt awkward, due to the audience. He steadied her soon enough and took off his hands. They walked back. After the opening ceremony was over and the show began, both of them escaped to the solace of their respective rooms. Khushi was still in shock. She still could not believe that she had been in his arms just minutes ago. She had felt the familiar sensation after all these years. Everything felt same. Nothing had changed. Not even the impact her senses had to his touch.

Arnav on the other hand had recovered. He had at last found out his Khushi. And she was his friend's sister. And how dare he , Khushal should have told me before. All angry at him Arnav picked the phone and dialled Khushal. But no reply. Instead he got a link to a meeting invite.

Arnav switched on his Laptop and logged in.

"Why did you not tell me?" Arnav asked as soon as he saw Khushal's face on the screen.

"Oh, so you finally found out. Don't you dare shout at me. I did not hurt you after everything you did to her. You should be thankful to me. Then again, how did you like the surprise?"

And at the word Surprise, he saw his Di, Arjun and Riana on screen along with Khushal.

"Di , Arjun you guys knew?"

"Chotte I'm sorry" Anjali said making a puppy like face.

"Arnav, actually Khushal asked us to come to Mumbai urgently. We got to know after we reached." Arjun said making himself clear.

"And we figured it all out when we saw Khushi's pictures in your room, that day in Delhi. I wanted to murder you, trust me, when I found out. Riana talked me out of it." Kushal said pointing to his wife. When Arnav did not say anything, he continued.

"I wanted to know what Khushi wanted. That is why I decided against telling you at that moment. But now, listen to me carefully. Khushi still loves you and so you need to win her back. It is going to be tough but still you have to do it. I can't force her and I won't. In fact, in front of her I will be supporting her. Figure out what you want to do."

"I think I know what to do. And I assure you I will win her back. Bye guys, I need to go win my wife's heart back."

"Yeah bye. Best of luck in wooing my sister, I know she's going to win tonight."

"Yeah.. bye." Arnav said and turned off his laptop and got out of his room determined to get his wife back.

Khushi had undergone shock, happiness, anger and all other feelings in the last half an hour. She could not even believe that she was again in front of Arnav. But she had to face him anyway. So she mentally prepared herself for the next meeting.

Arnav on the other hand was asked not to do anything as for now by Khushal. He was ensured that they were all with him and so he just had to wait for some time.

It was time for their next meeting. Khushi was there and so was Arnav. They were seated next to each other and Khushi felt her heart go Dhak-Dhak. She managed to overcome it. She felt Arnav's hands brushing hers. She couldn't make out if it was an accident or had he done it purposefully. Arnav saw the confused expression on her face, enjoying it fully for he had done it purposefully. But he pretended to ignore her.

"May be he must have got over me, or else why should he ignore me? But bhai told me that Arnavji loves his wife who left him some time ago, meaning me? No Khushi may be Bhai is just mistaken. Wait Khushi why are you thinking like this. You always wanted to avoid him right? And now he is doing so then why are you thinking much about that? Leave him and his thoughts and just focus." Khushi muttered under her breath. She hadn't realised, but Arnav had heard all that, after all, he was paying close attention.

Khushi was brought back to reality when the announcements of the results began.

"So I would like to call upon stage the four finalists."

The four of them including Khushi and Arnav stood up and made their way towards the stage. On stage Khushi was sandwiched between Arnav and Viraat. She moved a little closer to Viraat.

'I will stand next to Viraat so that Arnavji might think I'm with him. But Khushi Arnavji might be knowing that you are not in a relationship. Bhai must have already told all those things about his sister. But Khushi you could have got attracted to Viraat in the last one week. He may think so Khushi. Get closer to Viraat.' Khushi thought and decided to act accordingly.

Again it was the announcement which brought her back to her senses.

"So this year we had lots of fun. We saw two new entries into the top four apart from the usual AR Group and Verma Designs. Those two have made it a habit to be in the top four. This year the top three are Royal Companies, Verma designs and AR group."

The fourth prize was handed over to Mr. Rohan Mehra and he went down the stage.

"So before we announce the 1st,2nd and 3rd position I would like the three finalists to speak a few words. Mr. Vadhera will you please come here and say a few words?"

Viraat went forward and positioned himself before the mike.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I am really happy to stand before you all today. In fact even I can't totally believe that I've made it to the top 3 in my first venture ever. I would like to thank Viren Vadhera, my brother, Jeevika Vadhera, my sister in law and Maanvi Chaudhary her younger sister and my partner in crime. These 3 have been of real support apart from other members of my family. Thank you all and I Love You guys" he said pointing to the others who had accompanied him

"Thank you Mr. Vadhera, now I request Ms. Verma to say a few words." The anchor announced in her thick accent.

Arnav wanted to correct the anchor. He really had an urge to say that it is Mrs. Raizada and not Ms. Verma, but he controlled himself as he saw her walking past him.

"Good evening all. Today I'm here representing Verma Designs. This wouldn't have been possible, if not for the faith my brother has in me. I know he had made it into the top 3 every year, so I had the pressure on me. But I'm really happy that I've finally reached here. Our company had finished as 2nd the previous year and this year I would like to finish as the winner. Again, I would like to thank my brother Khushal Verma for believing in me. Thank you."

"Thank you Ms. Verma. Now I would like to call Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada here. Yeah I know you all have a lot of questions for the great ASR . So this time he won't be just thanking his dear and near but will be answering a few questions from our side"

"What the" Arnav said on stage. Khushi heard that, but did not look up at him.

"Mr. Raizada , the first question is, if you win today, would you like dedicate the award to your Di again?"

"First of all this year I really want someone else to win, and answering to the point I would like to dedicate it to my Di and also to someone else who is very close to my heart."

"Close to your heart, I think that comes as a blow to the hearts of millions of your female fans that ASR the most eligible bachelor in the country has got someone really close to his heart."

"Wait a minute, who told you that I'm a bachelor?"

The anchor was shocked. And, from what he could see, the crowd was also on the topic.

"I have been married for more than four years now. Please come out of the misunderstanding."

"What? You have been married for over four years? Why are we unaware of that? Please tell us who she is."

"She may or may not be here." Arnav said, keeping the mystery alive.

Khushi looked at him shocked and then paid attention to what he said next.

"Today she is not with me.."

"Oh I'm so sorry Mr. Raizada.." the presenter started, only to be interrupted by Arnav.

"Don't be. I know what you are thinking. She is alive and well and I know where she is. There is a huge misunderstanding between the two of us and I'm damn sure that everything will be alright very soon."

"Thank you Mr. Raizada for telling us about your personal life. Wish you all the best and I hope next year, you can bring and introduce her to us."

"Thank you for saying that. I hope so too." Saying this he walked back towards Khushi looking at her all the time, while she slowly looked away.

"So I think it is time to announce the winners. First of all we have on third position the Royal companies and I would like to call Mr. Viraat Vadhera to receive the award from Mr. Vikram Sehgal, the MD of Tulip group, the last year's Third position holder."

Viraat went forward and received the honour from him.

"I will announce the winner first as you all are desperately waiting to know whether it is Mr. Raizada or Ms. Verma."

"Whether it's Mr. Raizada or Mrs. Raizada would be the correct usage." Arnav was muttering under his breath. But Khushi had caught that line. She glared at him.

"Mr. Raizada could you please come right here" the anchor asked disappointing Kushal who was watching the show live, even though it was way past his bedtime.

"I can't believe we lost again" Kushal said to the three others in the room in Mumbai.

"Don't worry Khushal. Whoever wins, they are the same" Anjali was smiling looking at the screen. Arjun and Riana were watching their spouses, cheering for their siblings.

"Ok, as you all know, this time last year's position holders are giving away the prizes, so I would like Ms. Verma to join us here." The lady in the evening gown announced and Kushal's face lit up.

"That means there is still chances left for Khushi winning" Khushal exclaimed.

"There should be some suspense right" the presenter said to the audience with a mischievous smile.

Two men brought the cheques and the trophies and handed them to both Khushi and Arnav.

"So now, both of you may exchange the prizes you hold in your hands and then the runner up may announce the winner please."

Both Arnav and Khushi exchanged glances first and then the prizes. Both of them opened their gifts and were shocked.

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Image of Riana Verma

Next Update hopefully on Wednesday :)

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