Delhi.
Gupta mansion.

"Are you going to Shantivan now?" Khushi asked watching her elder sister packing her clothes, accessories and make up kit in her bag in hurry, as she stood at the door frame of Payal's room waiting for an answer.

"Yeah.. I had planned with Di and Sheetal to go there in morning to help with the decorations, food and other stuff." Payal replied while walking to her dresser to brush her hair.

"Help or order the employees to do this or that properly?" Khushi chuckled mockingly.

"Khushi please!" Payal rolled her eyes, "We need to ensure that this would be the best birthday party ASR ever celebrated. That's why Di called me to reach early so that we participate in his birthday party preparations and make sure that nothing goes wrong there."

"Yeah, I'm sure this is going to be the best birthday party ever for him after all three Super Women are doing the preparations for it." Khushi said with a tight lipped smile.

"Seriously Khushi. You better go to your office now and irritate your employees. Spare me!" Payal shook her head.

"I'm not going to office now. I'm going with you to Shantivan." Khushi said.

Payal turned to her frowning, "What? No way Khushi. Why are you hell bent on spoiling my relationship with Raizadas? You already know how much everyone in that house dislikes you because of your rude and arrogant behavior. For God sake, I'm getting married next month with Akash. Please maintain distance from Raizadas till I get married. Don't create more problems for me Khushi. If you want, then just come to ASR's party at night. But not now, please. Di won't like your presence there. She just called me only."

"Don't be so dramatic Jiji. I don't even care about your fiance's family. I just want to wish my hottie happy birthday, then I'll leave to my office." Khushi shrugged.

"My hottie? You mean.. ASR?" Payal asked to confirm, blinking her eyes in shock. 

"Yes. I mean ASR only." Khushi nodded.

"Are you both dating secretly?" Payal asked confused.

Khushi nodded sideways sighing in disbelief, "Just because I called him hottie, doesn't mean he's my boyfriend."

"Thank God for that." Payal sighed in relief.

"He's not my boyfriend at the present.. not sure about the future, though." Khushi winked at her sister, smirking.

"Don't even dream about him. He belongs to Sheetal only. After my marriage, Di already decided that they will start his marriage preparations." Payal said and took her bag, walking to Khushi, "Let's go now."

"Did my Hottie said that he wants to get married or Sheetal created a movie marriage scene in her mind and your Di wants to direct this movie?" Khushi asked teasingly, walking with Payal through the corridor. Payal just shook her head in disbelief as they made their way downstairs.

"There she is.." Garima said staring at Payal who reached at the living room with Khushi.

"Sheetal you are already here!" Payal looked at her surprised.

Sheetal stood up from the couch and hugged Payal smiling, "I just reached few minutes ago and was chatting with aunty, waiting for you to get ready."

"Hi KKG!" Sheetal smirked, waving her hand to Khushi.

"Hi!" Khushi passed a fake curt smile to Sheetal. 

"Why were you sitting here? You could have gone directly upstairs to my room. This house is yours as well. You're family. Feel comfortable okay." Payal said with a loving tone.

"That's so sweet of you Payal. But I had a good time chatting with Garima aunty. So I don't mind." Sheetal smile sweetly.

Garima smiled to both admiring their friendship. But then her attention shifted to Khushi, "Aren't you getting late for office Khushi?"

"She's coming with us to Shantivan Amma." Payal replied.

"Are you serious? But what will you do over there Khushi? We're enough to help in the preparations of ASR's party. You can come directly to his party at night." Sheetal said with a taunting tone.

"That's what I was explaining to her but she's stubborn. She just wants to wish him happy birthday and then she'll leave to office." Payal said making Garima and Sheetal look at Khushi in disbelief.

"Like seriously? The so called Busy Queen of Fashion Industry have so much time in her life to go to someone's house just to wish him Happy Birthday!" Sheetal widened her eyes, faking astonishment.

"In my hectic schedule, I do take some time out for some special people in my life. Unlike few people who despite having such a busy day ahead, have so much time to gossip with each other." Khushi smirked.

Sheetal tried to look unaffected by Khushi's words, by forcing a smile on her face and gesturing Payal that they should leave now. 

Payal understood her gesture and looked at Garima, "Amma we'll get going now. See you at night. Please make sure to reach in time and you, Babu ji and Buaji should wear the clothes I selected for you. Okay?"

Garima nodded smiling, "Okay bitiya. Take care of yourself and enjoy with your family."

"Bye Aunty." Sheetal waved her hand smiling to which Garima smiled back and bid goodbye to her.

Payal and Sheetal walked to the door leaving Khushi behind.

"Khushi let's go.. we're getting late!" Payal shouted when she realized Khushi wasn't following them.

Khushi walked towards them who stood at the door waiting for her. She gestured both to move aside to which they obeyed staring at her confused.

Khushi walked outside till the gate of the mansion and turned to Sheetal and Payal sending a flying kiss to both with a smirk on her face while waiting for the guards to open the gate for her.

Payal and Sheetal just watched her getting on her car.

"She has so much attitude yaar." Sheetal frowned, "She doesn't even look like your sister Payal. You're so sweet, simple and friendly and she's so rude, arrogant and full of attitude girl. That's why Raizadas love you but they can't tolerate your sister."

"That's because she's my cousin. We're different only. We literally have nothing in common." Payal said as they walked towards Sheetal's car.

"But you're ten times better than her. That's why Raizadas chose you to be Akash's wife." Sheetal smiled.

Payal smiled, "Thanks yaar. Even Amma and Buaji always say that I'm better than Khushi only. She may have achieved success in fashion industry and is considered one of top fashion designers in Asia, but I'm the one who makes my family feel proud as I'm perfect at everything I do. And now that I'm getting married, everyone is so happy for me. It's only my father who loves Khushi more than me, he's so proud of her achievemens that he keeps singing her praises to his every relatives and friends when they come home. He pampers her so much and treats her like a Princess and the result is in front of you, a rude and arrogant girl who doesn't respect anyone."

"That's true." Sheetal said as they got in the car and headed towards Shantivan.

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

Shantivan.

"Di!" Payal and Sheetal squealed and rushed to Anjali, who was ordering few workers to arrange the flowers, and hugged her tightly.

Khushi rolled her eyes at the scene. She can't believe Payal and Sheetal actually run behind Anjali and try to please her always just to be in good books of Raizada family. Since Payal's marriage had been fixed with Akash, she is so obsessed with the fact that she needs to keep him and his family happy always. She does everything to please them and be their favorite with her extra sweet behavior. And Sheetal has her eyes on Arnav, and by using her smartness she won Anjali's heart, to make her way easy to get Arnav in her life.

Anjali hugged both, smiling brightly but soon her smile faded when she saw Khushi standing behind them. 

"Payal I told you that we only need Raizada future daughter in law to help with the preparations of my brother's birthday. Other people should only be present at the party only." Anjali said with a stern tone as she broke the hug and stare at Payal.

"Yes Di. I know that. She just came to wish Arnav ji happy birthday, then she will leave. Right Khushi?" Payal stammered nervously and looked back at Khushi gesturing her to agree to her words.

"Right Jiji. I've no interest in wasting my time with negative people." Khushi said faking a smile to Anjali.

Payal shut her eyes tightly cursing Khushi in her mind.

"Have you looked at yourself first? An arrogant and rude girl who doesn't respect elders and so shameless to wear these kind of short clothes in front of our family and you're calling me a negative person?" Anjali furrowed her brows shouting.

"You just proved that you're a negative person by speaking all this nonsense about me." Khushi said calmly. Anjali stare at her fuming in anger while Sheetal caressed her shoulder, trying to console her silently.

"Khushi. She's elder than you, don't back answer her." Payal shouted in scolding tone.

"And tell her to leave from here. My brother doesn't need her birthday wishes at all. She's not needed here." Anjali gritted her teeth, glaring at Khushi.

"Let Arnav himself decided whether he needs my birthday wishes or not." Khushi smirked.

Before they say anything else, Khushi left from there and went to the kitchen side to look for Arnav. 

"Who does she think she's to walk in my house like that?" Anjali frowned, "Payal you need to teach manners to your sister."

"Exactly so shameless she is." Sheetal complained.

Payal nodded her head, "I'm really sorry Di."

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

"DM please let me find Arnav quickly so that I wish him happy birthday and leave from this place." Khushi prayed looking here and there, then made her way inside the kitchen.

"Khushi didi.." HP smiled seeing her walking in the kitchen.

"HP how are you?" Khushi asked smiling.

"I'm fine. And how are you didi? It's been long time since you came here Didi.. last time we met at Akash sir and Payal ma'am engagement." HP said.

"I'm also fine. I know but here no one likes me, so I only avoid coming here because I don't want to create problems for anyone." Khushi said.

"I don't agree with you didi. Arnav bhaiya likes you." HP smiled teasingly.

Khushi too smiled slightly, "By the way, where is he?"

"Bhaiya is still in his room." HP said.

"But why? It's his birthday today!" Khushi frowned slightly.

"Actually Anjali ma'am asked him to not go to office and stay at home today. And since everyone here downstairs is busy with preparations and there's too much noise here and there and he doesn't like this at all, that's why he's still in his room." HP said.

"Oh okay." Khushi nodded.

"Khushi didi you go na upstairs to his room and wish him happy birthday. You'll be the first one to wish him. No one wished him till now." HP smiled teasingly.

"Don't you think you're very naughty like your Bhaiya?" Khushi raised her eyebrows smiling at him.

HP giggled.

"Hari Prakash!" they heard Nani calling for him.

"Coming Nani ji." HP shouted back and hurriedly went from there, not before convincing Khushi once again to go to Arnav's room.

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

Khushi knocked the door of Arnav's room twice and waited for him to open the door.

"It's unlocked.. come in!" she heard his reply.

Khushi opened the door and walked in the room to find him laid on the bed, sleeping on his right side, facing his back to her.

"Unbelievable someone came to meet him and he goes back to sleep." Khushi muttered to herself, shaking her head.

"Clean the poolside and leave without disturbing me HP." Arnav mumbled, with his eyes closed.

Khushi chuckled lightly and sat on his bed carefully, trying to not make any sounds. She tapped his shoulder lightly and Arnav immediately turned to his left side annoyed but was left surprised seeing Khushi, he smiled widely, "Woah.. an angel came to wish me on my birthday.. so gorgeous!"

(Khushi's look)

"Don't think too much okay. I came to visit HP, then only I got to know it's your birthday. I didn't even want to come here, but HP insisted that I should wish you once so I came to your room." Khushi said trying to hide her smile.

"Happy birthday Mr. Raizada. Have a great day ahead." Khushi said and was about to leave when Arnav pulled her back and she fell on his bed beside him. Khushi tried to get up again.

This time Arnav caught her from behind and cuddled her. He kissed her cheek, whispering: Thank you my Angel.

"You're welcome.. but I'm not your Angel." Khushi was struggling to get out of his tight hold, "Let me go Arnav. I've a busy day ahead unlike you."

Arnav covered her with his blanket, "No.. I'm not letting you go now Angel."

Khushi turned to face him and Arnav wrapped his arms around her waist, snuggling more to her. He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead, before closing his eyes again to sleep.

"Arnav.." Khushi whispered, resting her hand on his shoulder and burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"Hmm.."

"I came to wish you happy birthday only. Not to visit HP." she confessed.

Arnav smiled and kissed her forehead again. Khushi smiled too as she closed her eyes and both slept in each other arms.

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

Sometime later..

Arnav walked out of the bathroom and saw Khushi brushing her hair, staring at herself on the mirror.

"So beautiful," he crossed his arms, staring at her through the mirror with a smirk playing on his lips.

Khushi turned to him and rolled her eyes, "Tell me something I don't know."

"I want to plan a tree with you," he said making Khushi looked at him confused.

"Now that's something new," she raised her eyebrows.

"A family tree!" he grinned.

"Stop flirting with me. I'm not those girls who'll fall for all this," Khushi said showing attitude to him. 

"Uff.. I love this attitude of yours," Arnav caressed his chest near his heart, smiling at her.

"Are you ready? Shall we leave now?" she asked trying to keep a serious look, ignoring his flirty lines.

"Let me brush my hair first, wear my shoes and put on some cologne to smell good for you," he winked teasingly walking towards her, who stood near the dresser.

Khushi rolled her eyes smiling as she went to sit back on his bed, waiting for him to get completely ready. He asked her to spend the day with him and she accepted to take a day off office and be with him, despite knowing the hatred that is going to increase for her from his family, who will definitely dislike this idea of him spending the day with her. But she's always a girl who follows the result of her heart and mind meeting discussions, the final decision!

"Let's go," Arnav said, taking his phone from the side table of his bed.

"I'll drive." Khushi said when she saw him picking up his car keys as well.

Arnav dropped the car keys back, nodding at her.

They walked out of his room and made their way downstairs.

"Come with me." Arnav held Khushi's hand, dragging her to the living room with him.

"Arnav no.. leave me.. I'll wait for you in the car.. I don't want to meet with your family." Khushi whined, complaining to him in low tone.

"They'll just wish me and then we will go out. I promise you I won't take time," Arnav whispered to her.

Khushi sighed hard.

Nani, Mami and Mama were seated on the couch chatting with each other, while Anjali, Sheetal, Akash, Payal and Shyam were checking the arrangements and decorations around.

"Chote is here," Nani said smiling as soon as she saw Arnav approaching them, but her smile disappeared from her face when her eyes caught attention of who was with him, holding his hand.

"Hello hi bye bye.." Mami widened her eyes seeing Arnav with Khushi, holding each other's hands.

"What are you doing with this girl?" Nani asked disgusted.

Meanwhile Akash, Payal, Anjali, Shyam and Sheetal approached them. Sheetal was burning in jealously watching the scene in front of her. Her moist eyes met with Anjali's angry ones, who immediately reacted.

"I thought you had already left from here. But no, I was wrong. You went behind my brother," Anjali said angrily.

"She came to wish me a happy birthday, how could she leave without doing so?" Arnav retorted, "Unlike you all that forget to wish me just because of her presence in the house."

A guilty Anjali walked towards her brother and hugged him tightly, whispering birthday wishes to him. Then his whole family wished him happy birthday.

Sheetal was last one, she hugged him tightly and smiled in victory, staring at Khushi, "Happy Birthday ASR."

Khushi just rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Thanks Sheetal," Arnav replied with a small smile breaking the hug.

Arnav gestured Khushi that they should leave now. Khushi nodded but before they could leave Anjali stopped them, "Chote are you going out?"

Arnav nodded.

"But you promised me you'll stay at home today." Anjali said sadly.

"I just promised you not to go to office today Di." Arnav reminded her. 

"But it's your birthday today Chote. You should spend time with your family," Nani said.

"She's my family as well Nani," Arnav said glancing at Khushi, then back at Nani.

Khushi looked at him overwhelmed, his words touched her heart.

With no more arguments left in their hands, they let Arshi go unwillingly.

"This girl is really shameless.. just look at her clothes.." Nani shook her head in disbelief.

"Not just that Nani, when poor Sheetal was here busy in helping with Chote's birthday party preparations, she was in his room for so long time. This is really disgusting." Anjali shut her eyes tightly irritated that Khushi managed to reach Arnav's room and stay with him for so much time and her plan of making Sheetal and Arnav spend time together flopped badly.

Sheetal left the living room angrily with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Poor Sheetal bitiya.. such a good girl she is and Chote is breaking her heart.. she loves him so much.. I wish he could see the one who truly loves him and the one who's just using him for fun," Nani stare at Sheetal's disappearing figure sadly.

Anjali nodded agreeing with Nani. 

"Hello hi bye bye.. Payal you should ask your sister to maintain some distance from our Arnav bitwa if you still want to get married to Akash bitwa.. Make Khushi understand that we only want Sheetal bitiya as daughter in law of this house.. otherwise.." Mami threatened her, widening her eyes.

Payal nodded her head, "I'll make sure Khushi stays far away from Arnav ji."

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

Khushi was driving heading to a nearby restaurant so that they could have breakfast first.

Arnav was staring at her lost in her beauty with his head rested on the headrest.

Khushi slapped his cheek lightly making him look at the other side.

Arnav chuckled softly.

"Will you come to my birthday party?" Arnav asked.

"No." she replied.

"I will wait for you," he said huskily.

"Hmm.." Khushi smirked keeping her focus on the road.

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

At restaurant XYZ..

Arnav pushed the chair for Khushi first, then he went to sit on his chair. He called the waiter who brought the menu for them and they choose their food.

After few minutes, they were served black coffee for Arnav, cupcakes and hot chocolate for Khushi.

"Arnav.." Khushi called him and brought the cupcake closer to his mouth and Arnav took a bite.

"Happy Birthday once again," she smiled.

"Thanks Sweetheart," he smiled back at her.

"I wish you to stop drinking too much coffee, because it's not good for your health," she said snatching the cup from his hand, pouting.

"Okay I can stop if you let me be your coffee," he smirked.

"And why you want to be my coffee?" she asked.

"Because I'm hot and I can keep you awake all night," he grinned mischievously.

Khushi gasped as her eyes widened, Arnav laughed looking at their surroundings.

She pouted and sipped his coffee instead of her hot chocolate unknowingly, making Arnav laugh even more at her face.

Khushi rolled her eyes, giving his coffee cup back to him, "Stop laughing at me. It's not funny!"

Arnav composed himself, pressing his lips tightly as he nodded innocently to her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Cute" Khushi thought while staring at him. A faint smile appeared on her lips unknowingly.

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

At night..

The hall in Shantivan was beautifully decorated and guests started arriving. Anjali, Sheetal and Payal were busy attending the guests and directing the workers what they had to do. 

While Mami, Mama and Nani were chatting with their relatives and Akash was busy talking with his business partners.

Arnav was descending the stairs after getting ready for the party, and his eyes twinkled in happiness when he saw Khushi and her family just reached at the door and were being greeted now by his family.

He walked towards them, ignoring the guests around him, who had their eyes glued on him from the time he arrived.

After greeting the elder members of her family, he turned to him and hugged her smiling, whispering on her ear, "You're so beautiful that even dictionary run out of words to describe you!"

Khushi giggled reciprocating the hug, "Thank you my personal coffee."

Arnav broke the hug and looked at her surprised, "What did you just say?"

"It's your bad luck you didn't hear.. I'm not going to repeat my words," she shrugged and went with her family inside.

Arnav grinned to himself.

"ASR you're looking very handsome," Sheetal complimented him, standing close to him. She smiled relieved as finally she got the opportunity to talk with him.

"Thanks Sheetal," Arnav replied, "Excuse me.. I need to talk with few business partners of mine."

Saying this, he went behind Khushi who was talking with Shashi about the decorations of the party.

"Business partners my foot.. Your eyes are always on Khushi." Sheetal clutched her fist, gritting her teeth angrily.

"Sheetal what are you doing standing here?" Anjali approached her, "Go and spend some time with Chote before he cuts the cake."

"I already tried Di, but he just made some excuse and went behind Khushi again. See now he's talking with her and her father," Sheetal cried, "Please now you do something Di."

"Don't worry. I surely do something for you. In fact, I had already planned that tonight I will announce to everyone that you and Chote will get married soon." Anjali said.

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

Everyone sang the happy birthday song for Arnav and he cut the cake, making everyone clap happily for him. 

"Who will be lucky one this time to be fed the first piece of your cake?" one of the guests asked teasingly.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Is this even a question? Of course it's Anjali bitiya only," Mami said.

Anjali smiled proudly.

"Well.. this year it's going to be different Mami.." Arnav cleared his throat, taking a piece of his cake as he walked towards Khushi.

Anjali's face fell as she realized he's going to feed Khushi, the first piece. Raizadas gasped confused and shocked with Arnav's act. While the guests cheered up for Arnav as they thought Khushi is Arnav's girlfriend.

Arnav brought the cake closer to her mouth and gestured her to eat it. Khushi took a bite, still staring at him astonished.

"So I said this year is going to be different.. because of this woman standing beside me. Khushi Kumari Gupta is her name. Beautiful name, right?" he smirked.

"Yessss" the crowd shouted giggling.

"The owner is even more beautiful," he whispered huskily staring intently at her.

Khushi blushed deeply, she widened her eyes whispering to him, "What are you doing?.. Please stop it."

"Oh God.. Please save my marriage with Akash," Payal prayed, shutting her eyes tightly. Garima and Buaji looked tensed at each other.

But Shashi was happy that his Doll finally got her Prince Charming.

"I met her first time when I was going to collaborate with her for a fashion show, from that day itself I got crazy for this woman. I tried to be friends with her, but madam rejected my friendship proposal and strictly asked me to maintain a professional relationship with her." Arnav shared their story to everyone.

Khushi giggled silently, while the crowd gasped shocked to know someone actually refused to be ASR's friend.

"But then destiny worked in my favor, I met her again when my brother, Akash got engaged. Since then, I have been trying to woo this woman by so many ways.. but she always shows me her attitude.. I know she likes me but doesn't want to accept it.. I know she's testing me to see if my feelings for her are real or not.." he said.

Khushi felt her heart skip a beat. How does he know what's going on in her mind?

"But taking opportunity of this special day in my life.. My birthday.. I will take the risk of proposing you.. Please think with love and care before rejecting me," he made a puppy face before kneeling down before her and the whole crowd cheered for him motivating him.

Anjali and Sheetal looked at each other with wide eyes. Their plan flopped badly.

"I love you Khushi Kumari Gupta.. Will you please be my soulmate?" he asked, praying for a positive response this time.

Khushi smiled with tears filled eyes, she looked around everyone was smiling and pleading her to accept his proposal, except of course, his family, her Jiji, Amma and Buaji. Her eyes then fell on her father, who blinked his eyes smiling as if approving their relationship. She smiled back at him, then shifted her attention back to Arnav, "Yes.."

"Wohooo.." the crowd screamed in happiness, clapping for them.

Arnav looked up at her astonished, "Yes?"

Khushi nodded smiling at him, "Yes.. I will be your soulmate Arnav.."

Arnav stood up and pulled her closer, cupping her face, he smiled happily: I love you.. I love you so much Khushi..

"I love you too my hottie.. my coffee.. my Arnav.." she rested her forehead on his.

"Di please do something.. Stop this nonsense." Sheetal cried.

"There's nothing I can do now Sheetal.." Anjali sighed in defeat. Frustrated and upset with her brother's decision, she left from the party hall and went to her room.

Arnav leaned in to steal a kiss from Khushi, but she looked away stopping him, "Not here."

"Okay madam.. not here!" he said like an obedient boy making Khushi chuckle at him.

Khushi looked at him for a while, admiring him.

"What?" he asked looking at her.

Khushi nodded sideways and pecked his lips, "I love you."

"I love you too." he replied.

The End..