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Khushi 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 on each other's. Both of them wanted to stay in this moment forever. Only if the time would stop here.

Arnav started coming closer. Leaning in, he was reducing the gap between his lips and her trembling ones. They were just millimetres apart and Khushi wasn't backing out. He felt elated about it. But he stopped abruptly, disturbed by the loud horn of a vehicle passing by. Khushi felt embarrassed and she turned her back towards him. He felt guilty on doing so, especially when she had not taken him back. He saw her shivering in the rain. Removing his jacket he moved toward his Khushi.

"Khushi, put this on otherwise you could catch a cold"

"No thanks Arnavji. I'm perfectly fine."

"Please Khushi, I know you. I don't want to get scolded by Khushal. Why did you even get out of the car?"

"Thanks" she said while taking the jacket from him.

"My pleasure Khushi. Forgot to tell you, Khushal is on his way. He'll be here soon. He's arranged for this car to be towed."

"Ok"

They waited in the car. After about 20 minutes, Kushal reached. They took their bags and joined Kushal. They reached the villa where they were to stay and moved to their assigned rooms. Khushi was again with Rishi.

The next morning they gathered for breakfast at a nearby café. They decided to get some shopping done in the first half of the day, meet for lunch and then by evening go to the beach. Khushi was dressed in a simple light blue sundress and Arnav couldn't stop admiring her beauty.

Khushi had to go with Arnav for Rishi's sake while the couples went for their private shopping.

After roaming for a while and buying some things for Rishi Arnav spoke up.

"Rishi stay with your Bua for a while. Uncle will be back soon!!!"

"But uncle..." the child tried to protest, but Khushi interrupted.

"Rishi be a good boy" Khushi told the kid, knowing he'll listen to her.

"Ok uncle" he agreed.

"But Arnavji, where are you going???"

"Khushi I'll just be back. Need to get something done. You stay with Rishi"

Now she didn't have any other option. They went to a nearby shop, window shopping, while Arnav went to get 'something done'

He returned after a couple of hours. He seemed to be hiding something.

"Arnavji, are you all right."

"Yeah I'm fine Khushi"

"But you seem to..." he didn't want to be probed.

"I said I am fine Khushi. Come on lets go."

They met the others for lunch.

"Arnav where did you go leaving these two?" Khushal asked as he saw them approaching.

"Yeah Chotte, tell us where did you go leaving Khushiji???" asked Anjali concerned and even then stressing on Khushiji.

"Di, I had some work"

Rishi went up to Arnav and caught his wrist. Arnav let out a yelp, as if in pain..

"Chotte what happened" Anjali asked as she held his hand. She turned it and screamed.

"Chotte you got a tattoo?" this was so unlike him

Everyone in the room, except Khushi, gathered around him.

"Yeah Di" he said matter of fact-ly.

"And what is this? Which language is it?"

"Arabic Di" he deadpanned.

"Wait let me read it!" Riana said as she held Arnav's hand.

"You know Arabic?" Arjun questioned.

"Yeah I chose that as my second language back at school. Wait a minute, is it Khushi written?"

"Yeah"

Khushi was shocked. She gave a wild expression to Arnav, which only he noticed. She was sad that he was in pain because of her but at the same time she was angry at him.

"Arnav you love your wife so much?" Arjun said.

"Yeah she's everything for me. I am alive with the hope that one day she would return to me."

"She will Arnav" the four of them assured him while he looked at his Khushi.

After lunch Khushi cornered Arnav.

"What are you trying to prove doing all these Arnav? This is not you. You are not emotional. You are ASR, a brutal businessman, who doesn't care about anyone's feelings. You only know to hurt, lot care and love, except for your Di."

"What am I trying to prove Khushi? Are you seriously asking me that?"

"The tattoo and all? Nice touch. Too bad it doesn't affect me anymore." LIE.

"Oh that! I love my Khushi and so got her name tattooed! So what?"

"I don't care about those Mr. Raizada."

"And what you said about me, those were all true. Not anymore Khushi. I have changed. I don't know how to make you believe. But, trust me, I won't stop trying. I will die trying."

The others caught up and they stopped arguing. After resting for a while, they went to the beach nearby. It was a little secluded and the group enjoyed the sunset. Arnav kept his promise and played with Rishi the entire time, leaving Khushi to her thoughts

In the night they had their dinner and gathered together. Rishi forced Arnav and Khushi to sit on his either side on the recliner. Anjali and Arjun sat on the sofa next to Arnav and Khushal and Riana sat next to Khushi on the other sofa.

"We should play something" Anjali suggested

"What sort of game?" Arjun asked

"Team game?" Riana suggested

"Ok Ladies vs Gents!!!" Khushal said.

"Ok Khushal you come and take Di's place and Di you go there next to Riana. So that the teams will be together and the others won't have to move." Arnav suggested and they obliged.

"Now what do we play???" Arjun asked

"We will give a task to any one member of the team and they have to do it. The same task will be given to a member of the other team also. Turns to choose the task will be in rounds ok. BTW once the task is given you can't back out???" Riana suggested.

And everyone agreed.

"Ok ladies first!!! Give anyone of us a task" Arnav said

"Ok Chotte since you agreed and replied first, we want you to sing a song"

"What Di??? I don't sing"

"Why Chotte , I know you can sing!!! Anyways according to the rule, you can't back out." Arjun pointed out teasing him with Anjali's name for her brother.

"But Di..." Arnav started as he glared at his brother in law.

"You have to Arnav, better sing" Khushal said.

They began arguing and after some time the argument diverted into a discussion on world-wide topics and they didn't know when they dozed off.

Khushi was the first to wake up. Her head was resting on Arnav's shoulder. She didn't know how this happened. She tried to move but found her chain stuck to the button of Arnav's shirt. He woke up while she was trying to free herself. Arnav helped her to free herself as they got up. By this time the others also woke up. All of them freshened up and came down for breakfast.

"When are we planning to return??? I've got lots of work to do" Arjun asked

"I think we can go for some sight-seeing today. I have arranged for a driver to take us." Khushal said

"Yeah that sounds great." Arjun said. They had breakfast in peace before Arnav brought up that question.

"Kushal, hey, I wanted to ask, when are you shifting to Delhi ?"

Khushi looked up from her plate.

"Soon"

"What bhai?"

"Yeah Khushi how could I forget to tell you. Well, I was waiting for you to come back from your London trip, but I forgot. Our Delhi office is not running properly and so we are shifting to Delhi. Mumbai office is in safe hands"

"But bhai should I also come?"

"Yeah Khushi, I don't want to leave you in Mumbai alone and go."

"But bhai... I can stay and manage the office, you know..!"

"No arguments Khushi. I am not going to abandon you again. I was wrong leaving you behind all those years ago. It is final, Khushi you are coming with us." Kushal was adamant with his decision.

"So why don't you come back with us?" Arnav asked.

"That won't be possible Arnav, our flat is not ready."

"Oh that is not a big deal. You can stay at Shantivan while your flat gets fixed." Arnav said

"Yeah Kushal, that is in fact a great idea. We have got lots to do there. So, I think it will be better if we go at the earliest." Riana pointed out.

Soon it was decided that they would be moving to Delhi as soon as they got their packing done after reaching Mumbai. Kushal's assistant would take care of setting up the flat in Delhi and sort out the transportation arrangements for the goods. Arnav didn't waste time in booking tickets to Delhi.

Khushi was in a fix. She had to go back to Delhi now. Facing Naani , Maami and the Guptas wasn't going to be easy. She had left without even informing them. Well, not her fault because she didn't think it was wise of her to tell them how their favourite 'Chotte' had forced her to marry him for six months. That was his mess to sort out. 

Later that day, they went sight-seeing. Khushi was all lost and Arnav knew the reason very well. He did not disturb her, nor did Rishi. Everyone decided to dump all the shopping items were dumped to the back seat of Arnav's car, which was back from the workshop. Rishi had decided he wanted to travel with his parents. It was Arnav and Khushi alone during the whole journey back.

"Khushi I know the reason why you are so lost." Arnav attempted to start the conversation.

"Then what is the point talking Arnavji?"

"I know Khushi you are worried thinking about meeting them. Don't worry Khushi, Di and I will talk to them. They will pretend in front Kushal and Riana that they don't know you and are meeting you for the first time"

The idea seemed absurd. But, Khushi was grateful he'd do that for her.

"But have you thought what will happen when Kushal comes to know?" he asked

"I haven't and I don't intend to tell him even. Ever." Khushi's response came way too fast for Arnav's liking.

"But Khushi one day you will have to accept our relationship."

"I don't think I need to Arnavji." She knew she was lying and hoped he didn't know that.

"Ok Khushi as you wish. I will not bother you anymore if that is what you want."

The rest of the journey both were quiet. They reached an hour later than the others, as Arnav was driving very slow for Khushi's sake.

After reaching home, everyone settled in their respective rooms. The next day, Khushal, Riana and Khushi started packing the things so that they can shift at the earliest while Arnav, Arjun and Anjali helped them.

The days passed quickly and the group were ready to go to Delhi. Khushi was hesitant but then she made up her mind to face the reality, for she had to once. If she could face Arnav and Anjali then why not the others. And also, there was the promise Arnav made. In the last few days, Arnav maintained his distance as promised. So did Anjali. There was no knowing looks from them. Khushi felt uneasy instead of relief. Was she finally ready to go back to them? – she wondered.

Arnav, Khushi and the others reached Delhi by the morning flight. The Guptas had also shown up just to see Khushi after so many years. As promised by Arnav, everyone pretended to be meeting Khushi for the first time. Khushi felt bad too, especially since she could not run into her babuji, who was standing, he was okay now, her jiji who was now 5 months pregnant. Her son Akshat was next to her. She couldn't run to her 'Alookumar'. She wanted to hug them, enquire about their wellbeing, but she also had to keep the secret from her brother so she just controlled her emotions.

"Come on in, Kushal beta" Naani said welcoming them to the house. "So, this your sister and your son. They were the ones left out during the wedding isn't it?"

"Come in Phati.. I mean Khushi bitiya" Maami said.

Khushi felt that it was her who would have the biggest trouble in calling her Khushi and pretending to not know her since she used to call her 'phati saadi'.

Naani and the others including Hari Prakash pretended very well .

After the evening Puja, when Khushi was sure that Kushal and Riana were in the room allocated to them, she took out some time to meet the family members, her family, explaining to them about her absence and why she needed time to compose herself. Little did she know that everything had been pre-planned here.

"Khushi why did you leave us, you didn't think you needed to tell your jiji?" Payal questioned.

"Jiji, just try to understand. I was completely heartbroken and that is why I left, I didn't want to cause any more problems in your life. You had already had your share of pain caused by me."

"But Khushi, I thought you hated me. I was never the big sister you deserved. I should have protected you, instead I stayed silent, I am sorry." Khushi did not expect this. She always was selflessly helping everyone around her, but it felt nice to be acknowledged. 

"After you left bitiya, Arnav bitwa was never his complete self. He is so lost." Garima started

"Amma, can we not talk about him? Jiji, will you tell me more about you. Is it going to be 'Alookumar 2' or is it 'Poorikumari'? Khushi tried diverting the topic to cheer them up.

"Khushi..."

"Jiji, I think bhai will be looking for me. I've to leave." She had made that excuse up, but, Kushal was indeed looking for her.

"Khushi where have you been. Did you get lost?"

"Yeah bhai, I got confused and entered Payalji's room by mistake."

"I think your room is near Arnav's room." Kushal pointed out.

"Is it?"

Khushi didn't know that Arnav had moved from their old room, his old room. – Khushi corrected herself.

"Bhai isn't Arnavji's room the one near the poolside?" Khushi needed to know why he shifted.

"How did you know about that Khushi?" Kushal felt bad pretending in front of his sister. But, she deserved to be happy. If his plan would lead to that, then Khushi would understand. 

"That... I think.. I saw him entering that room earlier." Her brother could be a good investigator – she thought.

"Oh, but yeah Khushi, that used to be his room, but since his wife left him he uses the other room. He says that he will move to that room only after she comes back to his life. I know he has got lots of pictures of her adorned in the walls of that room."

"What bhai, you know his wife?" she didn't think he knew.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't even seen a picture of his wife. In fact, Arjun told me about that. Arnav rarely allows anyone into that room anymore. Apparently only Anjali enters inside other than him"

"Oh..." Khushi had panicked for a second when he told her about the photos.

"Come on Khushi its dinner time. We should go down" Kushal said pulling her down the stairs.

"Chotte is missing isn't it?" Naani asked.

"Yeah Naani, I'll go and call him." Anjali said.

"Anjali it will be difficult for you. You please don't bother, Khushi will go get him," Kushal said and turning to Khushi, he continued, "won't you Khushi?"

Khushi practically choked at the question. If she denied, Kushal would start doubting her. She had to accept. She nodded and got up from her seat and walked up to his new room and found it empty.

She knew the exact place to look for him. She entered 'their' room. The lights were switched off. She reached for the switch board and put on the lights. She was startled to find her pictures all over the walls. Photos taken on each and every occasion were adorned in the wall. She spotted Arnav tending to his plants.

"Arnavji..."

"Khushi, what are you doing here?" Even though he was questioning her, he seemed pleased to see her here, in their room

"Everyone is waiting for you at the dinner table." She said.

"You go Khushi. I'll join you guys in a minute"

"That is ok Arnavji, I can wait."

They both came down together. Multiple pairs of eyes were keenly watching them. Khushi came and sat beside Khushal and Arnav beside Anjali. No one said anything. Arnav looked like he had stopped trying. True to his word, Arnav and Anjali had not pressurized her. She knew this was what she wanted, and they were humouring her wishes, still she wanted them to ask her to come back. Well, now, she had decided.

The next day Khushi saw Rishi crying and went up to him. But Arnav was one second ahead of her in reaching Rishi. She was content watching them interact from the side-lines.

"Rishi beta, why are you crying?" Arnav asked kneeling beside the three year old.

"Uncle you know something? Tomorrow is my birthday"

"So Rishi, why are you crying about that. It is a happy day no.?"

"Papa told me that this year we won't be celebrating it since we are not at home."

"Rishi do you have faith in you Arnav Uncle?"

"Yes" he said in between sobs.

"Then tomorrow we will be celebrating your birthday dude. So no more tears. Promise?" the child nodded wiping his tears.

Rishi laughed and Khushi stood there watching Arnav. He had changed for the better. She really wanted to be back with him, this version of him. The next time Arnav asks her to come back she would. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada would be back. This was her final decision. Now it was up to him to call her back, for she was ready now.

The next morning Arnav announced that they would be having a party in the evening for Rishi's sake. Only the family members which included the Guptas where to attend it other than the Verma family.

Khushi went shopping that day to buy a gift for Rishi. She ended up buying a gift for Arnav even. She had bought him a ring and had Khushi written on it. When he would ask again, to come back to his life, she would accept it and also would give this to him.

The Guptas had arrived and everyone were waiting in the living room. Khushi was the last to come down, and along with her came the birthday boy. But all the eyes were on Khushi for she was looking damn gorgeous in the red Saree . She was wearing a simple necklace and matching ear rings. Arnav couldn't take his eyes off her that he didn't notice Rishi who was holding his hand. This time Rishi pulled him hard so that he could get Arnav's attention.

Rishi cut his cake and the first piece went to Arnav rather than Kushal. Rishi stuck his tongue at Kushal and after having the cake from, Arnav he gave the cake left in his hands to Khushi. She too gave him a piece of the cake before she gave away a piece each to the others.

Rishi wanted everyone to have fun. There was a lot of dancing, singing and running around involved. Soon enough, the entire family were tired and they settled down in the living room, sipping tea.

"It has been a long time since the whole family has been together isn't it?" Naani said looking at Khushi and then at Arnav.

"Khushi bitiya, please come back to us" Naani continued

Khushi froze she looked at both Khushal and Riana. She didn't know how to respond.

"Khushi, how long are you trying to hide this from me and Riana?"

"What bhai you knew???"

"I am not an idiot, Khushi. I came to know about this when I came to attend Arjun and Anjali's wedding."

"That means... all these days, it was all a drama?"

"Yeah, Khushi. I am really sorry about that. I hope you can forgive me. But, in my defence, as soon as I got to know, I asked you your opinion on getting married again and moving on. You refused saying you still love your husband. I didn't tell him anything you know, Arnav found out when he met you as Khushi Verma at London that you, his wife, is my little sister. I am sorry for pretending to not know. I am sorry for orchestrating all of this. I am sorry to bring you here in front of all his family. Khushi, you know I only wanted your happiness...." his apology was cut off by her.

"I did not expect this from you Bhai..." Kushal knew? All this time?

"Now Khushiji, please don't take this the wrong way, we all wanted the two of you to be happy. We know you are incomplete without each other, love and miss each other very much" Arjun said.

Khushi could not respond. She knew she had made a decision the other day. But all this new information was too much. She could feel all eyes on her

Arnav knew he had to bring the situation under control. Old Khushi would easily forgive everyone. But, this new version of her, stronger version of Khushi was not easy. He was proud of her for standing up for herself. At the same time, he was in love with her and selfish. 

He got up from his seat and walked towards Khushi who was in the centre of the room. He stopped in front of her, positioned himself on one knee in front of her and took her right hand in his. She hesitated, but did not pull her hand back.

"Khushi I am sorry, I know I promised to give you time and space. I did not expect them to ambush you like this. I am sure Naani just wanted you back here with us at the earliest." He said motioning to his family. When she did not pull her hand away, he continued

"I Love you Khushi. All this time away from you, I have been miserable. We all have. So, today, I am being selfish again, but I have to ask you this. Khushi, will you please spend the rest of your life here, with me, with this crazy family of ours? I promise to never make you regret your decision if you say yes."

She knew he had made up this sentence because she was already married to him but was not willing to be with him. But, now this was something she wanted. 

"Khushiji, will you?" Anjali was now standing beside them, she noticed.

"Di, Arnavji, give me some more time". Saying this she freed her hand and went up the stairs to her room.

Arnav, Anjali and the others looked at her shocked. She had called Anjali, Di again. Arnav was happy so was the others. Arnav felt there was hope, but he wouldn't be too sure.

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