New Delhi
AR

The owner of AR company had his eyes fixed on his laptop as he went through important emails on his cabin, when his cousin knocked the door, seeking his permission to walk in. 

"Come in," Akash heard his elder brother's cold tone and he opened the door, standing at the door frame with his bag on his hand as he gazed at Arnav, "Bhai...."

"Tell Di that I'm busy Akash. I'll reach late home today," Arnav interrupted in no nonsense tone, with his eyes still fixed on his laptop screen, his right elbow resting on the table and his fist under his chin.

"But I promised to Di that I would bring you home early today Bhai," Akash made a puppy face, "Please Bhai."

"Promises are meant to be broken. Go home Akash. I will handle Di later," Arnav said, now glancing at his brother who stood at the door frame with a disappointed look.

"Okay," Akash sighed in defeat as he closed the door and made his way towards the staircase while sending a message to his Di that he also failed in the mission impossible.

"Hey," Akash shifted his attention from his phone to the person who just called him when he was descending the stairs, "Aman.. You're still here?" Akash frowned in confusion staring at Aman coming towards him, climbing up the stairs.

"I forgot a file in my cabin.. Just came back to take it," Aman replied, "And... I guess ASR didn't let you fulfill the promise you made to Anjali, right?" Aman concluded seeing Akash leaving alone. 

Akash sighed, "Right."

"It's okay," Aman patted Akash's shoulder to console him, "Deep inside you, you already knew that this was a mission impossible!" he grinned teasingly.

Akash rolled his eyes, "At least I tried ok.. I'm not like you who doesn't even utter a word in front of bhai."

"Exactly.. Because I know that ASR loves silence, so I stay silent in front of him. That's why he likes me," Aman smirked proudly.

Akash chuckled mockingly, "Oh really."

"Yes really.. Now let me rush to get the file.. I'm so tired today.. I just want to reach home, remove all my clothes and wear my superman short, eat my pizza and jump on my bed and sleep like a Sleeping Beauty," Aman ended sighing dreamily with a soft smile playing on his lips and closed eyes.

Akash chuckled staring at his friend, "Okay.. Bye Sleeping Beauty!"

************************************************************************

Arnav rolled his eyes as he took his phone from table, picking up his Di's call. He already knew why was she calling him, "Di I..."

"Wait Chote.. Give me a chance to convince to you please! After that, I promise I won't trouble you," his sister interrupted him, not ready to accept defeat as yet.

"Fine.. Try to convince me then," he smirked wondering what she has planned to made him change his mind, leaving all his work behind to attend the special family dinner, as she says. 

"Please please come here.. I've a planned a special dinner for our family.. everyone is here eagerly waiting for you only.. So please come," she pleaded desperately.

"Plan another day when I'm free Di.. I seriously have lot of work today," he said.

"Wait.. don't hang up," he waited confused until he heard his Nani's voice, "Chote I know you never listen to me and you always do the opposite of what I say.. so today I want you to stay at your office only.. Don't come back home!"

"I will listen to you this time Nani," he smirked at his Nani miserably trying the reverse psychology on him. Oh so this was his sister plan, to make each family member convince him to go back home. He shook his head at her stupid idea that is really not going to work with him. 

"Arnav bitwa you are already one of the top business man of India.. attending a family dinner won't harm much your work," Mama said.

"You've said it correct Mama.. It will harm at least 2 or 3% of my work, but ASR always gives his 100% to his work.. So even you failed to convince me,"

"Hello hi bye bye Arnav bitwa.. Come phast.. Your poor Mami is dying of hamburger (hunger) here,"

"That's why I'm saying don't wait for me Mami," he replied, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Sale Sahab if you don't come back home, then I'll also become a workaholic like you. And if I stay most of the time out of home, then who will take care of your sister? Think about this, if you don't want your sister to suffer without me, then you should come back and have dinner with us."

"Seriously Jiju.. Emotional blackmail doesn't work with me!" Arnav rolled his eyes.

"ASR guess who is here?" Lavanya smiled brightly, "So come fast.. Don't make me wait you handsome devil," she ordered smirking.

"Thanks for the compliment.. but no one gives orders to ASR darling," Arnav replied.

After Lavanya's turn, the phone was kept near Laxmi as he could hear her "Meeeehh", he could only chuckle silently at his family's crazy ideas, never in life he would get convinced by a Goat! Seriously!

"Di," he called out as no one spoke anything after few seconds, probably thinking another way to convince him. 

He was about to hung up the call, when he heard, "Arnav ji...." Shit! She was there too!

"I'm coming," he said huskily, even before she could say anything other than his name.

************************************************************************

Shantivan.

"See Nani.. He hang up the phone even before Khushi could say something," Anjali complained to Nani about her grandson's behavior, staring at her best friend, she caressed Khushi's shoulder, "Don't feel bad Khushi.. Chote is like this only. He didn't even listen to his own family. I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have told you to talk with him on the phone, when I already knew it would be impossible for you to convince him."

"He's coming," Khushi said, surprised and shocked herself.

"What?" everyone at the living room turned to Khushi, shocked.. not believing what they just heard.

"Yes.." Khushi nodded, "He only said he's coming."

"Here we tried pleading, movie dialogues, reverse psychology, emotional blackmailing, ordering, drama and what not to convince him to come back home.. and you just said his name and he got convinced. Unbelievable!" Shyam blinked his eyes, shocked to the core.

Khushi smiled, but not wanting to take the credit she spoke, "I guess he was already convinced by you all.. So when it was my time to speak, he was like 'You don't need to speak more, I'm already coming!'"

Everyone got convinced by her explanation, except herself.

************************************************************************

AR

"You still here?" Arnav found Aman on his way, towards the exit door.

"Yes ASR.. I forgot a file, I came back to take it," Aman replied, "Are you leaving already ASR?" Aman asked curious.

"Yeah,"

Aman widened his eyes as he stopped on his track, taking time to digest this breaking news. Anjali and Akash won!

"See you tomorrow Aman.." Arnav said as he walked away leaving a shocked Aman behind.

************************************************************************
Shantivan.

Akash had reached home and few minutes later, Arnav too was in front of them at the living room.

"My Prince has arrived," Anjali teased her brother, walking towards his side and hugged him sideways, thanking him for leaving his work behind and appearing for the dinner with their family.

"Prince or a stubborn kid that we need to feed him a candy to make him obey us?" Nani asked sarcastically.

"I'm diabetic Nani.. So no candies," Arnav retorted in a sarcastic tone, a grin spread on his lips for leaving his Nani speechless, she stayed quiet not knowing what to reply to him for a moment.

"Still a stubborn kid," she said after thinking for a few seconds what could be a befitting reply to him. 

Khushi giggled enjoying their 'sarcastic conversation'. She and Anjali met each other at her father's sweet shop, Anjali loves their sweets and in every festival, she buys it from them. They both are sweet, talkative and humble ladies, so instantly they became very good friends. And Khushi regularly goes to Shantivan to spend time with her best friend. That's how she met with the Raizadas and she shares a great bond with them as well. So she very well knew that Arnav and Nani were the second version of Tom and Jerry, they constantly bicker over nothing.

"Hi Khushi," he greeted staring at her intently. It's been a week since he saw her. The most beautiful and sweet girl of this world, for him.

"Hi Arnav ji. How are you?" she greeted back with a light and shy smile adorning her lips to the man responsible for her loud heartbeats - dhak dhak. 

"Fine," he replied, "And you?" Her smile, the most beautiful thing in this world. He thought with his eyes shamelessly fixed on her.

"I'm also fine," she replied politely.

"ASR.. You're going to your room, right?.. Come.. I've so many things to tell you," Lavanya stood up from the couch and rushed to Arnav, she held his arm and dragged him with her upstairs.

Khushi stared at them climbing up the stairs while talking to each other, something she obviously couldn't hear. Lavanya is his good friend. Her heart reminded of Anjali's words. I think they make a great couple. If Chote and Lavanya want to take their relationship to another level, then I don't have a problem. Her mind, on the other side was more practical, reminding her that although they're just friends now, anything can happen in future, and his family, especially Anjali won't have a problem with their relationship.

He only accepted to come back home because of You Khushi. Her heart was on mission to delude her.

Arnav glanced back at her before disappearing in the corridor, and she looked away making an effort to look unaffected.

************************************************************************

One week.

He finally saw her after one week.

He smiled standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around his waist while  gently patted his face with face towel after shaving his beard.

"ASR.. You're taking too much time in the bathroom. Do you plan to come out after a year?" he heard Lavanya complaining about his delay and sighed rolling his eyes, "Coming!" he said quickly grabbing his clothes to wear them.

He didn't make it fast for Lavanya, but because he realized that it was better going downstairs and be with Khushi for real, than wasting his time in the bathroom with her thoughts.

He walked out of the bathroom earning a sigh of relief from Lavanya who was waiting for him in his room, "Finally Mr. Raizada! Let's go downstairs now. I'm starving to death!" she said dramatically, getting up from his bed, ready to take him along with her but Arnav gestured her to wait as he walked towards his dresser, and quickly brushed his hair checking if he was looking presentable or not, then grabbed his favorite cologne earning a "Seriously ASR.. You already smell good. Let's goooo" she cried making him roll his eyes at her. 

************************************************************************

The atmosphere at the dining hall was pleasant and fun. The elders talking about the marriage of one of Nani's relatives. Lavanya busy posting stories on her IG. Khushi and Anjali helping HP to place the dishes on the table. Shyam teasing Akash, asking when was he going to introduce his girlfriend to the family. And... Arnav simply busy following Khushi through his chocolate brown eyes.

She finally took her seat on the chair opposite of his, he sat straight and composed, trying his best to hide his excitement as he would spend the entire dinner with his eyes glued on her beautiful face in front of him.

Khushi glanced at him and caught him staring at her. Arnav passed a polite smile to her, trying to hide the embarrassment of being caught off guard.

Khushi smiled back at him, raising the bowl of matar paneer to him and asking through gestures if he wanted to eat. Arnav nodded his head.

She smiled again and passed the bowl to him, to which he extended his hand to receive, their hands came in contact for a few seconds and it would last more, if his Nani didn't interrupt the scene with her unnecessary comments. Khushi immediately withdraw her hand in between the bowl and his palm, as her attention shifted to his great Nani. 

"Finally you shaved.. I was already thinking to call you a Lion," Nani smirked, teasing her grandson.

"At least now you can't say that I don't listen to you Nani," he smirked back at her.

"Please don't lie.. I'm sure Lavanya bitiya has convinced you to shave, otherwise you wouldn't have done that," Nani said.

Khushi gulped, as she concentrated on her plate, not interested in the conversation now. So he only does what Lavanya says to him. She thought.

"No Nani.. I didn't say anything to him. He shaved on his own will," Lavanya spoke up, after sipping her orange juice and keeping it back on the table.

Khushi looked up instantly, pressing her lips to suppress the stupid smile that would grace on her lips right now.

"Really," Nani looked at Arnav surprised, "Then I'm willing to take the credit for this."

"Yes take it Nani.. It's not always that I will let you take the credit of some change in me," Arnav spoke teasingly, he shifted his gaze to Khushi again as she giggled at his and Nani's banter. It's only because of her that he shaved his beard, but he wouldn't at any cost make it obvious in front of his family and Nani created a perfect opportunity for him to cover up the reason of why he shaved.

"Chote do you remember Kavya aunty?"

"Kavya... No!"

"Aree.. Kavya aunty.. My school best friend's mother.. Don't you remember her? The one who wanted to take us to Goa in our holidays, but Ma denied.. We cried so much that day. I met her today.. She said she's impressed with your work, you're handling your business brilliantly," Anjali said smiling brightly.

"Oh come on Di.. I don't even remember who was your school best friend.. You want me to remember of her mother? Seriously," Arnav rolled his eyes in disbelief, earning a slap on his arm from his sister.

Khushi watched them smiling, her eyes fixed on Arnav. How handsome he was.. she had no words to describe. His perfect thick hair, his sharp nose, his beautiful lips... his dark brown eyes - extremely tired, those dark circles under his eyes revealed how much he has been working this past one week. Is he even take care of himself? Is he resting properly? Is he eating and having his meds on time? The concern for him overpowered the moment of drooling over him. 

"Khushi bitiya do you in Lucknow..."

Arnav rolled his eyes while sipping his juice as his Nani gained Khushi's attention to talk about her favorite topic - Lucknow. It seems as if Nani thinks that Khushi is Lucknow itself in the form of a human body. The first time he met with Khushi, his Nani was present in the living room with them. Khushi was waiting for his sister to get ready so that they leave to the shopping mall, while he was working on his laptop. His Nani was eating his brain since she was bored, with nothing to do. He shared a polite and short conversation with Khushi, then resumed his work. But his Nani found her new prey, she started chatting with Khushi and got to know that Khushi was from Lucknow. That's it! His Nani out of excitement, started talking non-stop with Khushi as if she saw Lucknow in Khushi. And he fed up with their conversation, got up from the couch and left to his room.

Something he wouldn't do now. That time he saw Khushi just as one of his Di's friend. Of course, she was beautiful like many other girls were. It took time for him to change the statement - She's beautiful like many others girls out there in this world - to - She's the most beautiful girl in this world. Because for him, being beautiful is not just your physical appearance, it was also about personality and character as well. And he knew nothing about Khushi the first day they met. It was only when she started to regularly visit them in Shantivan, that he started analysing her well. She's like a bright and shiny sun that has the power of brighten up your day. She is always ready to help others. She's a good listener. She makes people around her feel very comfortable to open up with her - His Di was the living example of that. She is caring. She's hardworking - she helps her father at the shop, she's studying in college and it's her last year and she also gives tuition to kids of her neighborhood to earn some extra money. She's sweet and nice girl. She talks with respect and politeness with everyone. And yeah.. she's a bit clumsy too. He can spend one entire day talking about the things he notices about her.

Now he is used to bear their long conversations of Lucknow, just to stare at her.. be wherever she is.. stay close to her! And that was what he was doing now. 

"Hey.. Why aren't you eating?" Lavanya patted Arnav's shoulder, staring at him in confusion.

Arnav looked at her irritated, "I am," Why is everybody hell bent on interrupting his staring session with Khushi? Dammit! He is seeing her after a week, can't they understand it?

Khushi looked back at him concernedly. He's not eating. Maybe he didn't like the matar paneer she cooked. Maybe he likes only his family or Shantivan's cooks handmade food. 

"Arnav ji should I serve something else for you?" she asked.

"No. I'm eating Khushi.. In fact, this matar paneer is really delicious," he cleared the matter.

"Really Chote.. Khushi made it," Anjali said excitedly, "She's really a great cook."

Arnav glanced at Khushi surprised. Oh, so those fairy hands were the secret of the delicious matar paneer!

Khushi blushed lowering her eyeslashes.

"After all she's from Lucknow," Nani added smiling proudly. Arnav yet again rolled his eyes, she will start with her favorite topic.

************************************************************************

Arnav walked in the kitchen with his empty plate and HP hurriedly walked to him, taking his plate from his hand, "Bhaiya you don't need to do this.. I would have come to collect all the plates after everyone leaves the dining table."

"How sweet," Arnav smiled sarcastically sweetly to HP. The plate was just an excuse to come here to see Khushi.

Khushi glanced at them once smiling admiring their bond, then concentrated back on keeping the desserts on their respective plates and bowls with spoons for everyone. She kept everything ready, so that after everyone finish their food. They won't wait for long for the desserts.

"Will you keep standing here?" Arnav whispered to HP.

"Bhaiya I should be asking you that," HP replied innocently confused, "I'm here to help Didi if she needs anything.. and now to wash your plate as well."

"What the.." Arnav's eyes went wide, "Leave all this.. Go to my room and search for a pink file. I need it urgently!" he lied.

HP nodded his head vigorously, and as if on an important mission, he left everything and flew to Arnav's room.

"What were you both whispering to each other?" Khushi asked as she side glanced at him, standing beside her near the counter.

"Nothing special," he shrugged. He obviously couldn't say that he sent HP to his room to search for a non existent pink file. 

"Arnav ji do you want kheer? It's sugar-free," she asked, her hand instinctively held a bowl ready to serve the kheer for him.

"You've made it?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Okay," he nodded accepting. While she served for him, he sat on the counter.

Khushi handed to him a small bowl containing kheer and a spoon. As he filled the spoon and brought it near his mouth to taste, she waited anxiously to know if he liked or not.

"It's sooo.. delicious," Arnav took his own time to relish the desert on his mouth, "Damn good Khushi!"

"Thank you," she genuinely smiled, little shy for receiving a compliment from him.

"How's your Dad?" he asked as he continued to have his kheer.

"He's fine.. He was complaining that you disappeared.. You don't visit him at the shop now," Khushi said.

Arnav opened his mouth to reply, but Khushi spoke what was on his mind, "Work!" she nodded with a I-know-it smile.

"Right,"

"I said the same to him.. That you might be busy with your business works," Khushi said. 

"Tomorrow if I get time, then I'll go to him," Arnav said, thinking about his busy schedule.

"Don't stress yourself for this Arnav ji.. Babu ji does understand that you're busy these days. He was just joking when he complained about your disappearance," Khushi immediately explained.

"I know.. but still I miss talking with him as well," Arnav said. Most of the time, Arnav is the one who takes Anjali and Khushi wherever they wish to go, so he also dropped Khushi at her home or at her father's shop. And that's how he met Shashi, they used to interact every time he would drop Khushi at the shop. He only had less interactions with Khushi's mother and aunty, as he never visited their house. They just greeted each other from far, as both curiously used to peek his car to see with whom their girl is roaming around. He had no choice other than to wave his hand to them and put up a smile of a good boy on his face that would calm down their hearts knowing that their daughter is in safe hands. 

As well? Who else does he miss? Is it me? Khushi's heart started disturbing her with his usual dhak - dhak as if trying to conveny that Yes - Yes - Yes.. It's you only.. He was missing you!

"Hey.. This is not fair.. You both are already having the dessert without us," Lavanya cried dramatically as she walked in the kitchen, watching Arnav eating his kheer.

Khushi looked at Lavanya startled as she was lost in her dream world.

"Cry baby," Arnav teased Lavanya smirking earning a glare from her.

"Do you want.. umm.." taking a look at other sweets, "Jalebis Lavanya?" he asked teasing her again.

Lavanya slapped his shoulder, "Stop it dammit.. You know that I don't eat sweets!"

"Then why this unnecessary drama of yours?" Arnav shook his head making her giggle, "Just wanted to scare you both," she replied.

"Have this kheer.. It's sugar free," Arnav pointed.

"Oh wow.. You made it Khushi?" Lavanya asked, as she served for herself.

Khushi nodded, faking a smile standing there awkwardly watching them talk to each other.

************************************************************************

After having the desserts, whole family settled at the living room to chit chat for a while.

Khushi was sitting with Mami, Lavanya and Anjali. And Arnav was with Akash and Shyam.

"Lavanya bitiya what were you doing with Arnav bitwa in his room?" Mami asked naughtily. Anjali giggled, "Mami app bhi na," while Khushi started playing with her fingers uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Nothing Mami," Lavanya laughed at Mami's expressions.

"Chal joothi.. We all observe phat when you come together home, then you bothwa alwayish stay lockedwa in his room," Mami giggled.

Lavanya laughed at their imagination,  "Seriously Mami!"

Khushi gulped. She picked her phone, pretending to reply to non existent messages.

"It's not that we have problem.. In fact, if you and Chote..."

Lavanya interrupted Anjali, shaking her head vigorously, "No Di.. I'm already interested in someone else. ASR is just my friend." 

Khushi sighed in relief, the heavy feeling taking over in her heart suddenly disappeared.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Who's this someone else?" Mami asked curiously.

"You call me Di and you didn't even told me anything," Anjali widened her eyes.

Khushi thought they would be upset that Lavanya and Arnav aren't in a relationship. But both Anjali and Mami reacted lightly to this situation, and already jumped to know about the other person that Lavanya is interested.

"He's an idiot.. ASR's PA!"

"Aman!!" Anjali and Mami spoke at the same time surprised.

Lavanya nodded, making Anjali and Mami cry in happiness, "Tell us everything.. from the beginning!"

Khushi heard the story, while her eyes roamed around the living room searching for one person. He wasn't in the living room. The frown on her face soon got replaced with a slight smile when she saw him coming back with a glass of water on his hand.

He sat beside her this time, paying attention to Anjali, Lavanya and Mami's conversation.

"Who did what?" he interrupted with a frown adorning his forehead.

"I gifted a Superman short to your favorite PA.. and he didn't even messaged, called or said personally to me if he liked it or not," Lavanya whined.

Arnav chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. Khushi kept admiring him. He looks so handsome smiling!

"Sorry to interrupt Lavanya.. He wear your gifted super man short to sleep almost everyday!" Akash spoke aloud making the whole family curious.

The secret wasn't a secret anymore. The whole family now knew that Lavanya is in love with Aman and she gifted him a superman shorts which he wears almost everyday to sleep.

************************************************************************

Arnav bit his lips, thinking whether he should say to Khushi that he missed her in this week or not, standing at the poolside of his room. She was already leaving with his Di and Jiju in their car. He even missed the chance to drop her home today, because his Jiju wanted to introduce his Di to a new friend of his. So they decided that they would drop Khushi at home on the way.

It's now or never. Taking the final decision, he rushed inside his room and hurriedly opened the door, only to be surprised by her presence, "Khushi?"

"Arnav ji.. I want to say.. something to you," she panted and spoke fast, standing at the door frame of his room.

"Even I want to say something to you," he said.

"Say it," Khushi whispered, trying to control her quick breaths. Was he also going to say that he missed her? She was already getting butterflies in her stomach thinking about it.

What if I say I missed her and she gets mad at me? He thought.

"I wanted to say that.. I'll come to meet Shashi uncle at lunch time tomorrow. And you?"

Oh. He wanted to say this. Idiot you're Khushi. Now cook up another story and don't get yourself embarrassed in front of him by saying that you missed him. You're not even his friend!

"I wanted to say that.. You should take care of yourself.. have your meals and meds in time and rest properly.. look at those dark circles!" she said in scolding tone, pointing to his eyes.

Arnav chuckled, "I will.." She cared for him. She even noticed his dark circles! Interesting.

"Okay then.. Bye!" Khushi smiled as she waved her hand to him and turned to leave, when he held her hand from behind making her gasp softly, as she turned to him questioningly.

Arnav pulled her towards him, she came crashing into his chest. She looked up to him with her beautiful hazel wide eyes wondering what has gotten into him.

"I missed you Khushi.. I only came back home because I heard your voice on the phone.. I only shaved because I wanted to look handsome for you.. I only ate kheer because you made it. This is what I wanted to say," he whispered huskily on her ear.

Khushi closed her eyes feeling goosebumps. She held his shoulder instinctively while breathing heavily. This is all she wanted to hear. He said it!

"And.." she opened her eyes slowly, looking up at him, "I also wanted to say that.. I missed you a lot.. Don't just disappear from my life." She thought that one week would last for eternity.

He looked at her surprised, seeing fear in her eyes, he cupped her one cheek with his palm, "Khushi I didn't disappear.. I was just really busy but you've my phone number. You can call or message me anytime you want."

Khushi nodded her head, "I will," she smiled shyly realizing how close they were standing to each other, she pushed him a bit politely to leave as Anjali and Shyam were waiting in the car and she had made an excuse of forgetting a non-existing thing to meet him. Arnav pulled her close again and before she could protest, he dropped a soft and gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Message me when you reach home," he said in husky tone, while letting her go.

"Bye," she smiled, taking a step back while staring at him shyly, "Baby Lion!" she giggled teasing him for shaving and ran downstairs.

"What the.. Baby Lion!" he caressed his cheek confused. Does she like to see him with beard or clean-shaved? Shit! He should've asked before shaving!

HP walked out of the bathroom exhausted, he stood behind Arnav at the door panting heavily, "Bhaiya.. I looked everywhere.. even in your bathroom.. but I didn't find the pink file!"

Arnav turned back to him and smiled, patting his cheek lightly, "Thank you HP!" For not disturbing my moments with Khushi. He said mentally.

"Huh??"

The End.