This story picks up where the show left off. This is a scene during the next year's Diwali.

Hope you enjoy! Vote and Comment :)

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"Arnavji, you know what, you should stay here and work today." Khushi said shocking Arnav.

As it was the eve of Diwali, he had expected her to pester him to help out with the multiple pending chores at home.

"Khushi, are you sure about this?" Arnav asked, he couldn't believe his luck.

"Yes Arnavji, just stay here with your laptop, Bluetooth-headset and whatever." The way she said it concerned him.

She was sitting in front of the mirror in their room, getting ready for the day.

"Khushi, is everything alright? Tum mujhse naraaz to nahi ho kisi baat ke liye?" He asked a bit concerned that his wife was pissed at him for some stupidity he probably committed.

"Arre Arnavji, there is nothing to worry. Hum aapse naaraz kyun honge? I just want you to stay here and get your things done without being interrupted due to the preparations going on downstairs."

"You care so much about me, don't you?"

"Of course, care bhi aur pyaar bhi, warna aapse shaadi kyun karti?"

Arnav bent and kissed his wife as she was sat on the chair. One glance at the mirror and he liked what he saw. He was glad he let go of the arrogant man he once used to be.

"Okay Arnavji, do you want to join us for breakfast or do you want it here?"

"It is okay Khushi. I will join the family for breakfast downstairs. You get ready fast."

With one more kiss to her cheek, he took his seat back, in front of his laptop.

Arnav and Khushi joined the family at the breakfast table. Aarav took the seat next to his father, while Khushi sat opposite to them. Anjali joined them and soon Naani, Maama, Maami, Akash and Payal followed.

Arnav and Aarav were busy talking about the upcoming field trip in Aarav's school and missed the discreet conversation between Anjali and Khushi.

After breakfast, Arnav left for his room. Aarav decided to go get his holiday homework done. Payal, six months pregnant, was advised by the doctor to rest as much as possible, so Aakash took her to their room. Maamaji decided to go meet some potential suppliers.

Once it was Anjali, Maami, Naani and Khushi the ladies breathed a sigh of relief.

"Khushiji, are you sure Chotte will stay in your room the entire time?" Anjali asked her sister in law

"Haan Di, I told him to stay there and focus on his work. I don't want him here and ruin it, yet again."

"Haan, Chotte sab gadbad kar dega." Anjali said.

"Hello-Hi-Bye-Bye, I hope it works." Maami said and Naani nodded along.

Unknown to the ladies of the Raizada house, Arnav who had come to find Khushi, had heard the whole thing.

Arnav was shocked. And hurt. The people he loved the most in his life, his Khushi and his Di, - they did not want him there, because they were afraid he'd ruin things. They were probably worried about some Puja, but, he was a changed man now. They knew that. He never objected to any of it and willingly participated, for the sake of their happiness. Then why were they afraid he'd ruin things?

Arnav was unable to focus on work.

"Chotte sab gadbad kar dega" Anjali's words kept coming back to him.

"It is an emergency, I need to go to the office." He announced to no one in particular as he rushed past the women ten minutes before lunch.

"Arnavji, have lunch and go." Khushi called out, but Arnav was long gone.

Khushi was a little upset. But, since it was an emergency that Arnav ran out from there, she did not think too much into it.

Soon enough Khushi, Anjali and the rest of the Raizadas became engrossed in the preparations and missed Arnav coming back in.

It was about six in the evening and Khushi was about to go get ready for the Puja that she remembered to call Arnav.

"Arnavji, where are you? When are you coming back?"

"I am exactly where you designated me to be Khushi."

Khushi was a bit worried with the sharp tone in which he replied.

"Matlab?"

"Khushi, I am in our room. Exactly where you wanted me to be, so that I don't ruin things." Arnav said and abruptly ended the call.

"hey Devi Maiyaaaa."

"What happened Khushiji?" Anjali was immediately beside her to know what made Khushi call out her best friend.
"Shaayad unhone hamare baatein sun li thi subah." Khushi informed and Anjali cringed.

"I'll go talk to him." Khushi said before rushing off to her room.

Arnav was already dressed for the Puja. He was talking to Aman on the phone. Khushi waited for about ten minutes, but it didn't seem like Arnav's conversation would end anytime soon. She decided to get ready and talk to him after.

In another fifteen minutes Khushi was dressed in a green saree, gifted by Arnav, all ready to gain his attention.

Arnav was mesmerised by his wife's beauty. But then, her words from earlier came back to him. -"I don't want him here and ruin it, yet again."

"Go attend the Puja Khushi, I'll stay here and try to not ruin things."

"Arnavji, I'm sorry you heard that."

"Oh.. Sorry I heard that. Not sorry you said that?"

"Arnavji, you see..."

"No Khushi, I am okay staying here. You go, enjoy the Puja"

"But Arnavji, please listen to me."

"What is it Khushi?"

"Give me one chance?"

"Theek hai, batao." He knew better now. He needed to hear her side of the story and get the complete picture. He knew he was an expert at misunderstanding and stop listening at crucial points.

"Bataungi nai, dikhaungi. Come with me. I'll show you."

Anjali and the rest of the Raizada's tension eased a bit when they saw Arnav accompanying Khushi. Khushi held Arnav's hand and took him to the entrance of the house.

"Ye dekho." Khushi said pointing at the Rangoli. Arnav was confused.

"What?"

"Ye Rangoli dekho. Do you know how much effort goes into making this? The last two Diwali's you'd made sure that you ruined it. First time by falling on to it, taking me along with you. Doosri baar, irada nek tha, par anjaane mai galti kar di aur Rangoli kharab kar di aapne. Aapko Hat-trick lene thodi de sakte the hum."

"You were talking about Rangoli?"

"Haan. Toh?"

The childish face she made was enough for Arnav to laugh out loud.

"I should've known. And here I was ruining my day, because you said... chal chodo." When Khushi did not say anything in response, he continued.

"Tumhe pata hai, tum ajeeb ho."

"Phir bhi aapne humse shaadi ki hai." She countered.

"Haan, sahi baat hai." Arnav said as he hugged his wife.

As they came out of the hug, they saw Aarav coming back from his basketball game.

"Dad, catch." He said as he threw the ball to Arnav.

Arnav claimed it was a bad throw, while Aarav argued that his dad had slow reflexes. End of discussion, Khushi's Rangoli was ruined.

"Nahiiiiii" Khushi cried out as Arnav tried to supress the smile that was making its way to his face.

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