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As Khushi came and sat opposite to Arnav he started off with the common tricks by taking the same dishes as Khushi, brushing his hands with hers in the process. Kushal acted as if he didn't notice Arnav's actions. Finally he reacted.

"They both have the same choices isn't it?" He winked at Arnav while Anjali choked.

"What happened Di are you all right?"

"Yeah I'm alright Chotte"

"Yeah Kushal, what were you saying about Khushi and Arnav" Riana did not let that conversation go.

Khushi felt odd hearing their name together after a long time that too from her Bhabhi's mouth.

"Yeah Kushal I felt the same too. They do have lots of similar interests." Arjun said as he smiled at both Arnav and Khushi.

'Doesn't he know about Arnav's wife or is he trying to tell bhai about me? I've to stop him or else bhai will come to know about our relationship.' Khushi thought.

"Bhai what are the plans for tomorrow? Shall I resume office from tomorrow?" Khushi enquired, trying to stray the conversation that was currently happening.

"Khushi you just returned today and you are planning to go to office tomorrow?" Riana asked.

"Riana wait , Khushi my darling behna, you are not going anywhere. In fact we all are taking a break for a week and I'm planning to give you a big treat for crushing the great ASR!"

"But Bhai..."

"Nothing Khushi. I was thinking about taking a trip this week. Now I can tell you guys. Okay, so we are leaving for Goa by tomorrow evening and then we will go here and there and do time pass. I'll arrange accommodation in the morning. I have a friend who has a villa there."

"What bhai, what sort of an outing is this? Go here and there and do time pass?"

"Yeah Khushi, if you are thinking of going to office then nothing can be pre-planned right? Anyone who has a better plan?" Kushal asked the five others in the room.

"Kushal, I am good with your plan." Arnav said looking away from Khushi

"I think we can go with your lack of plan. We can decide the rest later after we reach even." Arjun contributed.

"I knew it, after all I'm the only one here whose ideas work!!!" Kushal said as he passed a meaningful glance at Arnav. Everyone present nodded at him while Khushi did not think too much into the statement.

"Kushal, have you sorted out where I'm going to sleep tonight?" Arnav asked, taking a bite of his food.

"Sorry Arnav I forgot that. Your sister and brother in law have occupied our guest room ... why don't you use Khushi's room???"

"What bhai?" Khushi was shocked. 'Does he know?' – was the only thought which passed her mind.

"Yeah Kushal how can he stay in her room.?" Riana interrupted.

"Guys, let me finish. I meant Khushi can stay with Rishi. He won't share his room with anyone other than you so I thought you could stay with him in his room and Arnav could use yours. Do you have a problem with that Khushi?"

Kushal and Riana were looking at her expecting an answer. If she went against it, her brother would be sad.

"Ok bhai, no issues."

"Thanks Khushi" Arnav said. She could see a spark in his eyes and decided to avoid his chocolate brown eyes completely.

After dinner she went to Rishi's room. He was playing with his toys. Khushi arranged the things and Rishi settled on the bed while Riana came in.

"Khushi why haven't you changed your outfit?"

"No Bhabhi, I'm fine in these clothes."

"Khushi are you planning to sleep in jeans? Go to your room and get your clothes. I'll put Rishi to sleep"

"but Bhabhi.."

"Khushi just go"

"Ok Bhabhi"

She went to her room. Arnav was already there and so she knocked.

"Yeah, come in."

"Arnavji..."

"Khushi you are here at this point of time...? All okay?" He was genuinely concerned.

"I just need to take my night clothes "

"Oh sure!"

She was about to leave when Arnav caught her by her shoulder.

"Khushi look at me...please" She looked away instead.

"Please Khushi look at me once. " She finally gave in and looked at him.

"Khushi please forgive me , I know I've wronged you, but I still Love You Khushi, you and only you, please try to understand. Come back to me."

"I wish I could Arnav, but I can't after everything that have happened between us, I can't."

"But still Khushi you can try right..!!! Please give me a second chance Khushi. I'll prove it to you that I've changed for the better. One chance is all I am asking for."

"Try Arnavji that is what you can do, but I don't think you'll be able to. "

"Hey what is going on? You both seem to have adjusted well." Kushal said coming into the room.

"Nothing like that bhai, I just came to get my night clothes"

"Yeah, and we just got into a small conversation" Arnav supplied.

"Ok bhai good night! Good night Arnavji"

"Good night Khushi "

"Yeah good night behna" Kushal hugged her. Arnav envied him for that.

Khushi went back to Rishi's room and settled down!

"Kushal why? We were having a good time. Maybe she would have confessed right here. Did you have to interrupt today?" Arnav asked his friend.

"Actually you see Arnav the main reason I interrupted today was that I noticed her being uneasy. She would have confessed today, but still that wouldn't have come from her heart. I want her to accept her love from her heart. She must by herself confess it rather than by compulsion. You need to give her time and space man, try to understand."

"Yeah you are right Kushal. She should accept it herself. You know I'm very desperate to get her back in my life. That is why."

"Yeah right... desperate ! Do you know why I am even supporting you to win her back?." Arnav nodded to say no, so Kushal continued.

"When she was about five years old, her favourite doll fell apart. She threw it away and demanded our mother to get her a new one. Maa instead fixed it for her and told her that, in life things fall apart quickly. Doesn't mean you should throw it away without a second chance. You should always take time and try to fix it. Once you fix it, you never know, it will become your most prized posession."

Arnav couldn't help think about his mother at that time. Even after so many years of her passing. it was the lessons Ratna gave him that kept him barely human. He could imagine how her mother's words would affect Khushi. 

When Kushal did not get a response, he continued speaking.

"You know, of the few things Khushi had with her when she came back to me, she had the doll which Maa fixed for her. That was when I knew, she was not ready to let go of her husband. No matter what the pain she had gone through, she would still want him. Over the last three years I had never once asked her about her past. But, innumerable times I'd asked her to move on, directly and indirectly. No avail, you know. I don't even know if I'd be helping her husband if it was not you. I've seen you suffer first-hand."

"Thank you Kushal. For forgiving me and helping me."

"Trust me, I haven't forgiven you yet. That we will settle some other time. Right now, I want Khushi to find her happiness. Anyway, get some sleep now, you need it. Good night."

"Thanks! Good night"

Arnav closed the door behind Kushal and instead of sleeping he started exploring Khushi's things. He opened her cupboard and stood looking at her things. He knew he shouldn't be doing it, but he did anyway. He saw the bangles he had gifted her. He got flashbacks of those beautiful days.

And the next thing which he saw was the saree which he had chosen indirectly for her. He didn't mean to, but he couldn't help himself from taking the saree, and a book which was kept inside it fell down. He picked it up. He thought it might be her diary but he opened it and was shocked. It was a photo album. It had the images of the various poojas which she had attended while she was at RM.

The photos of their performance at the sangeet.

The picture Anjali had captured while Arnav was applying colour to Khushi on Holi.

Also the dance during their supposed honeymoon..!!!

There was a knock on the door. Arnav kept the things back and then ran a hand through his hair to ruffle his hair so that he could look as if he was sleeping. He opened the door. Khushi marched into her room .

"Khushi?"

"Yeah, I've got something to do"

She walked to her wardrobe and locked it and took the keys with her. She turned around, and without even taking a last look at him, went out of the room.

'Khushi you know me so well. But darling, you were late. I have seen what I wanted to see. I'm glad that you still cherish our moments together. And I promise you that I'll bring all the happiness back into your life and I'll make you mine forever and that too very soon.' He thought to himself as he closed the door behind her.

The next morning Khushi was waiting for Arnav to wake up so that she could get ready for the day.

She was waiting down with the ladies.

"Khushi why don't you go get changed."

"Yeah Bhabhi, I want to but Arnavji..."

"Khushiji you can use your room. The three of them have gone for their morning workout." Anjali informed her.

"Thanks Anjaliji.. I'll be ready soon'

Khushi went to her room, took a bathe and came out dressed in a white salwar.

Meanwhile Arnav, Kushal and Arjun were back.

"Chotte, are you looking for Khushiji?"

"Arnav stop looking here and there, she is in her room." Riana said.

"Arnav, please remember what I said yesterday." Kushal reminded him

"Yeah. I'll be back soon"

Khushi was standing in front of her mirror. She saw Arnav's reflection in it. She turned to face him.

"Shall I help you Khushi???"

"I don't need any help Mr. Raizada."

"Yeah I can see that Khushi, you are not able to tie the dori. Let me help you."

Saying this Arnav moved behind her brushing his hands on her bare back he tied her dori. Khushi could not open her mouth.

He took an earring from her collection and made her wear it. Khushi just looked at him.

"Khushi you are beautiful. I Love You Khushi."

Khushi came out from the spell when he uttered the three words.

"Mr. Raizada, I've already told you to stay away from me. Why don't you understand?"

"Why don't you understand Khushi? I can't stay away from you. I really can't, also I don't want to."

"I've to go Arnav" saying this she left while Arnav stood there smiling ant thinking about his next move.

Arnav freshened up and came down. Everyone were waiting for him on the breakfast table.

"Sorry guys I'm late"

"That is ok Arnav but what made you late???"

"I was thinking about someone special"

"What?" Riana asked, feigning innocence.

"I was lost in the thoughts of..."

"Your wife right?" Kushal asked.

Arnav just nodded

"I really hope that she comes back to me very soon." Anjali and Arnav both gave Khushi a look while she looked away.

"So have you all started packing?" Kushal questioned.

"Kushal you are asking about starting ... Anjali and I have finished. What about you guys?"

"We are about to finish isn't it Riana??" Kushal asked and she nodded

"What about you Arnav???" Arjun turned to his brother in law.

"I have to pack everything once the clothes I washed earlier dries up." Arnav said. This was all impromptu and he had only packed enough clothes for 3 days in London.

"And you Khushi??"

"No bhai, I need to get inside my room for that" she reminded.

"Oh I'm sorry Khushi. You may come to your room whenever you wish. I don't have any problem with that"

"Ok Khushi now you've got the permission to get into your room so now you better start packing."

"Ok then, pack up!" Arjun said, attempting humour. Only, no one laughed.

Khushi went to her – now Arnav's – room to get her things packed. Arnav also reached and started packing his things. She was standing in front of her closet looking at her dresses suddenly Arnav spoke up.

"White, Red and Green."

"What ???"

"Pick these three colour dresses, it suits you the most"

For a moment, she was reminded of the day of Payal's sangeet when he had told her that green suited her. She came back to the present.

"Thanks for your help Mr. Raizada. But, I think you have got to pack your own things. So better if you concentrate on your work other than mine"

She completed her packing soon and left the room and went to meet Rishi.

A few hours later, everyone except Rishi and Khushi gathered in Arnav's room. Anjali helped him complete his packing.

"Any progress?" Kushal asked.

"You know something Kushal, your sister was very sweet and kind when she was with me, but after she met her brother she is behaving like her husband!"

"What are you saying Arnav???"

"Yaar Kushal, she has become completely like me. Now she is behaving like me and I've become like her."

"Don't worry Chotte you'll have her back in your life very soon" Anjali consoled her brother.

"Yeah, I hope so Di"

"Ok listen after Goa trip, we will be coming to Delhi very soon. I mean I'm planning it very well. Remember, I told you about the Delhi office? It will be a surprise for Khushi."

"Thank you"

"That means I'll be able to get back to my work?" Arjun enquired.

"Come on Arjun you are more concerned about your work than your best friend?" Arnav asked.

"You know, I do have a business to run. So yes."

"Ok now we should go before Khushi starts suspecting. I think she has got her doubts. So we need to be more careful." Kushal said getting up from the bed.

Kushal and Riana went to Rishi's room.

"Khushi did you pack Rishi's bag also???"

"Yeah Bhabhi"

"Thank you Khushi, if not for you, I would have forgot"

Riana and Kushal left. As she was coming out of the room, Khushi heard Arnav speaking to someone over the phone. She did not mean to eavesdrop, but something he said caught her attention.

"What honey, how can I forget that it is your birthday today? Of course I remember."

Was Arnav flirting with someone? Who is she? Suddenly Khushi turned jealous .

"Yeah honey, I know and trust me I'm in Mumbai. So you need not worry. I'll be there in an hour and we'll have lunch together." He said looking at Khushi

"How dare he? He is dating someone else while he claims to love his wife, me?" she muttered to herself. She followed him to Kushal's room Anjali and Arjun were already there.

"Come on Kushal, we have to go"

"What even bhai knows???" Khushi thought.

"Thank god Khushi you are here. We are going to our friend Preet Chadda's wife Honey Chadda's birthday party. So please make some lunch for yourself and also make Rishi eat. We'll be back soon" Riana informed Khushi. Her heart was at peace, Arnav wasn't flirting with another woman.

"Ok Bhabhi"

"Kushal you won't believe me, she has called me at least 10 times today. She is not even ready to believe that I'm here in the city just because last year I didn't turn up."

"I know yaar, do you remember before that it was my chance. Next time most probably it will be Arjun" Kushal said laughing.

They all left.

"Devi Maiyya forgive me. I thought he was..!!! How foolish of you Khushi, how could you think he was with someone else, didn't you see the pain and love for you in his eyes? Now just stop thinking of him and make Rishi eat something" she muttered as she walked to the Kitchen. She stopped to check on Rishi, making sure he was still sleeping, she continued to her destination.

After preparing lunch, she went to Rishi's room.

"Rishi come on beta, come eat something"

"Coming bua"

"Ok Rishi what are you planning to do after going to Goa? You will be with me right???"

"But bua, I've promised Arnav uncle that I'll play with him"

"What Rishi? You will leave your Khushi bua for him?"

"Actually he got me those chocolates and made me promise that I'll be with him. Bua you've told me that we should not break promises and should keep our word. But don't worry we can be together. I don't think Arnav uncle will have a problem if you play with me as well."

"Oh god this Arnav Singh Raizada is well ahead of me. I should not have left Rishi when he came in last night." She muttered under her breath.

After lunch, her mind wandered off to the thoughts of Arnav the days he had been very nice to her. How he had helped her serving food on the day of Payal's marriage. Oh how she missed the Guptas, her being called Sanka Devi. But she couldn't return to them. She controlled her emotions.

The five of them returned from the lunch. Rishi was playing with Arnav. They had decided to go by road.

"Arnav you will be driving right?" Kushal asked turning to his brother in law

"Of course, since Arjun wont, isn't that right Arjun?" Arnav in turn, looked at his other brother in law.

"Arnav why do you ask when you already know the answer"

"See, so who all are coming with me and Riana?"

"Bhai, Rishi and I will join you." Khushi promptly replied.

"No Bua, I'll be going with Arnav uncle and I want you to be with me as well"

"Rishi come on darling, we can go with your parents" Khushi tried to reason with the child

"No Bua, I won't go with Mumma, she will be asking me to keep quiet. I will go with you and Arnav uncle only."

"Ok Khushi if he wants to go with Arnav let him be. So the three of you can come in the other car and the four of us will come together" Kushal said pointing at the respective groups.

As they left, Khushi occupied the passenger seat while Rishi settled himself happily in the back seat. Khushi felt that Arnav was driving very slow. Kushal went much ahead of them. It was a very long drive. Rishi came forward and sat in Khushi's lap for some time, talking to Arnav. After a while he went back and dozed off. Arnav caught up with Kushal at the restaurant where they stopped for dinner.

"Mamma, I want to go with you" Rishi said climbing on to his mother's lap.

"Really? you were telling that I would be asking you to keep quiet"

"Please mamma?" who was Riana to say No to that innocent question?

"Ok" she conceded.

Khushi was shocked. She had to go alone with Arnav as Anjali and Arjun seemed content staying with the other family.

As they restarted the journey, Khushi got engrossed in thoughts. She did not notice when it started raining. Kushal and all had gone very much ahead as Arnav was consciously driving slow. He was determined to do things right by her.

After a while, the car jerked and stopped. Arnav tried to restart it, but it wouldn't.

"What happened?" Khushi asked coming out of her thoughts

"I think there is some problem with the engine. Let me check"

"But Arnavji, it is raining"

"No problem Khushi let me check first. Stay here."

He went out. She saw him drenched in the rain. She felt bad for him and she got out.

"Khushi why did you get out of the car. It is raining go inside please. You could catch a cold."

"No Arnavji I won't. Can we not fight about this?" Turning to the car, she asked "Will this start?"

"Khushi I don't think so."

"Let me see whether we can get some lift"

"You don't need to do that Khushi. Let me call Kushal and inform. We'll figure something out. They must have already reached"

Khushi still went to the road to check whether they would get any lift. Khushi saw a car approaching and went forward to stop it. But they were in no mood to stop and was about to hit her but Arnav pulled her onto him and they stood there looking at each other .

Their eyes were fixed oneach other's. Both of them wanted to stay in this moment forever. Only if thetime would stop here.

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