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It was almost an hour past midnight on Wednesday morning, by the time Arnav reached home. He had changed for the better, for the sake of his family; his Khushi - the one woman who managed to capture his heart and loved him despite his flaws, Aarav - the kid who looked up to him in every aspect of life, his sister - who despite the sufferings in her life, had managed to hold her head up high and help people in need. How much ever he had changed in his personal life, he was still ASR, the ruthless business man, in his office. And that meant, he'd have to work late when needed. His family understood and supported him in every way. And today, he was caught up finalizing a partnership deal with a Boutique in Paris. Khushi was asleep by the time he reached. He had found time in between his work to get the Jalebis she loved, from her favourite mithaiwala. He kept the box of sweets in the kitchen before heading to their room.

"Arnavji, Arnavji, Arnavji, listen to me." Khushi tried waking her husband up, shaking him in the process. She didn't know when he came in. She quickly glanced at the clock and noticed it was fifteen minutes past three in the morning. But, this was an emergency.
"Khushi, what happened? Are you okay?" Arnav woke up with a start. He was getting used to this. But, he was her husband and he was worried. His worry would be justified, after all, she was the love of his life and now, mother to their unborn child.

"Arnavji, I am hungry." Arnav let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Is that it Khushi? You feel fine no otherwise." One could never be too concerned.

"Haan Arnavji. I just feel like eating something sweet." Arnav couldn't help but smile at his wife.

"Wait a minute, I'll go get something for you." Arnav said as he got out of bed. He happily walked to the kitchen to retrieve the box of Jalebis he had kept earlier.

"Here Khushi, have this." Arnav said handling her the box as he returned. She was sitting up on her side of the bed and he sat next to her.

"You got jalebis for me?" She asked and he noted that there was no excitement in her voice, like it used to be when she saw her favourite sweet.

"Of course Khushi, I got it from that favourite shop of yours." He said as she took a small bite from one of them.

"No,..." she said as she kept that half eaten piece of sweet back in its box.

"I don't want jalebi. I want something else." She knew it was not right of her to demand things this late. But, she had a craving and she couldn't get over it.

"Khushi, you are saying no to jalebi?" Arnav asked, clearly shocked.

"I know Arnavji, I am shocked too. What is happening to me? I am okay no? You think something is wrong with me? Hey Devi Maiyaaaa.. " Khushi was spiralling and Arnav couldn't help but smile at his wife.

"Khushi, this happens during pregnancy. Just tell me what you want. I will get it for you." He said, gently squeezing her hands to reassure her.

"I want to have Kheer, Arnavji."

Okay - this was tricky. Arnav thought. He did promise to get her whatever she wanted. He couldn't back out now. That was not in his nature. He had to keep his word.

"Okay Khushi, wait here. I will get Kheer for you." Arnav said before leaving his room to go to the kitchen for the second time that night.

Of course, he had to make Kheer now. What other option did he have? Thankfully he had high speed internet, Google and multiple recipes at his disposal. There were ingredients, utensils everywhere, on the floor, in the kitchen counter. Well, Hari Prakash would have a field day sorting through the mess his Arnav baba had created in the name of Kheer.

"Chotte, what is happening here?" Anjali asked joining her brother in the kitchen.

"Dad? What are you doing here this late in the night." Aarav asked coming to the kitchen behind his bua. He had successfully woken up the two members who happened to be at home. Thankfully, Maamaji and Maamiji were visiting Aakash and Payal in the US and NK was out on a trip with his friends.

Arnav explained to them, how Khushi wanted to have Kheer instead of Jalebis and how he did not want to say no to her. Anjali smiled at her brother as she instructed him on how to prepare his favourite sweet dish.

Anjali and Aarav stayed until the Kheer was prepared, keeping him company. Arnav was happy with the outcome. the Kheer tasted pretty amazing, according to him. Anjali and Aarav confirmed it for him, boosting his confidence. He hoped Khushi would appreciate it as well. But, by the time he was back in their room with it, she was fast asleep. He kept the tray on the bedside table and dozed off next to her.

As Arnav joined his family at the breakfast table, Khushi was telling Anjali and Aarav how her Arnavji had made Kheer for her and how much she enjoyed it as soon as she woke up. Arnav sat next to her as Anjali offered them the 'chole puri' she had prepared especially for her Khushi Bhabhi.

"No Anjaliji, I don't want to eat that. It looks too spicy. Thank you for preparing it but I think I'll eat bread and butter instead." Khushi said shocking everyone present. Well Anjali was more amused than shocked.

"What is it Di? Why are you smiling like that?" Khushi asked as the others slowly came out of their shock.

"Nothing Khushiji. Just something that I have been noticing." Arnav looked at his sister curiously. But she did not say anything further. They continued their breakfast, talking about what they were looking forward to do that day and went their separate ways.

On Sunday evening, they had gathered in the living room for tea. Arnav sat next to his wife while Maamiji explained about how Payal and Aakash should come back to India so that the family can spend time with their one year old. She'd been clearly missing her granddaughter since she came back.

"Hello hi bye-bye, HP, bring us some Chai." Maami demanded in between.

Promptly, the man was in front of them, handing them their cups with the beverage.

Arnav took his and handed over another cup to his wife.

"Here, take this Khushi, for you."

"No Arnavji, I don't want tea. Hari Prakashji, can you get me a cup of black coffee?" she asked the man who instantly nodded in response.

This was the last straw. Anjali couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. Everyone present turned to look at her.

"Khushiji, day by day you are becoming more like Chotte as you get further into your pregnancy." Anjali observed.

"What?" Arnav questioned not reading too much into it.

But, to Khushi, it was like someone had splashed cold water on her head. In fact - her husband had - once - in front of his office - well, not important here.

"Di..."

"Ji Khushiji..."

"That is what I have been wondering..." Khushi was too lost for words.

"You are saying no to spicy food, saying no to jalebis. Having coffee instead of tea. I have more examples. This is so unlike your usual preferences Khushiji." Anjali listed out.

"Heyy Devi Maiyyaaa, why did you have to do this to me." She questioned her best friend. Arnav was okay with his sister's observation until Khushi said that.

"Kyun Khushi, what is the problem with that?" He said turning to look at his wife.

"You don't get it, do you Arnavji?" she turned to look him in the eye as well.

"What is it Khushi?"

"I am becoming more like you, I have your tastes because of our baby. Devi Maiyya help me. You're giving me one more of the same kind? Wasn't Arnavji and Aarav enough?"

"What the.." the father-son duo commented at the same time.

"Exactly. I am scared of this. You are all going to kill me with all your what-thes. And now, three of them just like this. I was hoping that this one would be like me, support me against the two of you. I was already outnumbered, what will I do now? Devi Maiyya help me"

Even though she said it with a straight face, the others couldn't help laugh at her misery.

"Don't worry Khushiji, I am with you." Anjali said as she shoved Arnav aside to sit next to her on the sofa.

"Haan phati saadi, Manorama maami is also on your side. Why fear when maami is here?"

Arnav and Aarav just looked at each other and rolled their eyes and nodded looking at the drama in their family. Drama or not, they loved them all dearly. And that was enough.

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