London, Airport XYZ

Walking with heavy heart that doesn't belong to me anymore, tears in my eyes that are crying to see him one last time and a mind filled with the most memorable moments of my life with HIM.. I took each step far away from HIM..

"Khushi your flight will take sometime.. We will wait for you!" Anjali, his sister said.

I just nodded numbly and lifelessly and sat with his family waiting for my flight while my mind traveled to my past.

Flashback..

Lucknow, Laxmi Nagar..

Shashi watched the family picture hanged on the wall with a smile on his face.

Garima, his wife came towards him to call him for breakfast, but stood amused beside him watching him so engrossed in their family picture.

"What happened Shashi ji? Why are you looking at our family picture smiling like this?" Garima asked.

"I was just seeing how my two daughters grew up so quickly and I didn't even realized it.. Payal is married and have one year old daughter, our sweet and mischievous Krishi.. and our Khushi has completed her education and will surely become a famous fashion designer and create an empire of her own.." Shashi said proudly.

"That's true!" Garima said with moist eyes still a proud motherly smile was there visible on her face.

"Good morning Amma and Bauji!" Khushi greeted them smiling.

Garima and Shashi turned to her and walked towards the breakfast table where Khushi already sat ready to have her breakfast.

"Good morning Khushi, my Jaan!" Shashi said patting her head lovingly then he sat back on his chair.

"Good morning bitiya.." Garima too took her seat.

"Are you going somewhere today?" Shashi asked to Khushi.

Khushi nodded her head, "Yes, for my job interview Bauji.. Did you forget? I mentioned it few days back with you.."

"Hmm.. There's no need of it anymore.." Shashi said.

The aloo paratha fell from Khushi's hand to her plate as soon as she heard her father denying her to go for a job interview, "Bauji.. Please! I want to work.."

"I've in my mind something better for you.. Don't worry, I'm not going to force you to get married neither I will start pestering you like your Buaji that it's your age to stay in kitchen and prepare yourself to be a good daughter in law.. In fact, I want you to be a strong and independent woman.. I want you to be an employer, not an employee!" Shashi said proudly of his daughter. He knew Khushi had the capacity and strength to do more in her professional life.

Khushi's eyes moistened on hearing her father, she hugged him sideways tightly, "Thank you Bauji.."

"But this might take time.. First I've to work for someone and get experience on this fashion designing field then I can create something of my own.. Right?" Khushi asked.

"It might NOT take that much time if you're trained under the right person!" Shashi smirked.

"Right person! Who?" Khushi and Garima asked confused.

"Arnav Singh Raizada!" Shashi said.

Garima gasped, "What? Payal bitiya's brother in law!?"

"Bauji they live in London! How can this be possible?" Khushi asked.

"I will send you to London.. Don't worry, I already talked with Raj and he doesn't have any problem to keep you there till Arnav bitwa trains you!" Shashi said.

"Did Arnav bitwa accept it?" Garima asked.

"Raj didn't even let me request him.. He said its family matter and there's no reason to deny at all.." Shashi smiled, "Payal bitiya is so lucky to have found a family like this!"

"But Bauji.." Khushi gulped thinking about the great rude and arrogant, ASR.. Will she able to impress him with her work? Is her knowledge enough to be trained under him or he will scold her and humiliate her for not knowing what to do?

"What happened Khushi? Don't you want to go to London? I will not force you, but just think properly.. It's the best opportunity you've to learn from him, he's the best bitiya.. He will teach you how to handle business in a perfect way.. That boy is talented, sharp minded and very hard working.. I want you to be like him in business field.. I want to see you growing like I read about him.." Shashi said.

Khushi looked at her Amma, then at her Bauji. She nodded her head making both relieved and happy.

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

London.. Raizada Mansion..



"Arnav beta.." Raj, Arnav's father walked in Arnav's private home gym.



Arnav stopped his walking workout on the treadmill, and took the bottle of water gulping it in one go, he eyed to his father: Yes Dad!

"I hope you still remember my request.. Khushi is coming here in two days!" Raj said.

"Khushi! Who?" Arnav looked at his father confused.

Raj sighed, "Khushi, Payal's sister.. Remember? You saw her in your brother's marriage! Now her father requested me that you should train her in business and I talked with you.. You just nodded your head and I understand that it means your Yes!"

"Hmm.." Arnav nodded again, checking his phone to see any urgent mails.

"You should eat almonds often beta... You're becoming forgetful nowadays!" Raj teased his son.

Arnav glanced at his father getting his teasing tone, "I don't have time to waste for useless people in my life Dad.. If she was that important to me, I would have never forgotten about this! Anyway, I just accepted to train her because she's Payal's sister.."

Saying this, he went upstairs heading to his room. Raj sighed, "There's really no space for anything other than work in your life!"

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

Two days later..

"There she is!" Anjali, Arnav's sister said smiling as soon as she saw Khushi walking in with Raj, and HP who came behind with her bags.

Payal smiled with moist eyes seeing her baby sister after a long time, "Khushi!!"

"Jiji.." Khushi rushed to her sister and hugged her tightly smiling.

The Raizada smiled watching the sisters bond.

After greeting her sister, she took blessings from Ratna - Arnav's mother, Nani, Mami and Mama. While Anjali, Shyam - Anjali's husband, NK - Arnav's cousin brother, Akash - Arnav's cousin brother and Payal took Khushi to Payal's room so that she could chat with them and also see her niece, Krishi.

"Where's Chote?" Ratna asked to her husband.

"Guess what? We were going to pick Khushi and he was called for an urgent meeting.. He left me with the driver and went to handle his meeting!" Raj said.

"Yeh Chote bhi na.. No one takes work this much serious as him!" Ratna face palmed.

Later at night, everyone was sleeping peacefully in their room. Khushi descended the stairs to go to kitchen, as she was thirsty. She stopped on her track feeling some sound of steps. She looked at the direction and saw him, Arnav Singh Raizada, her sister's brother in law and now her Boss! She gulped watching his gaze fixed on her as he walked near with each step he took.

Arnav stopped in front of Khushi with his eyes fixed on her. She awkwardly with his gaze, tucked her hair behind her ear and looked here and there, and glanced few time nervously at him.

"I'm.. I.. voh.." she tried to introduce herself but failed to bring words to her mouth.

"See you tomorrow in my office.." Arnav curtly cut her off and left from there, going upstairs to his room.

Khushi kept her hand on her chest trying to calm her heart that was beating faster till now, she closed her eyes.

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

Next day..

Early in morning, Khushi and Arnav walked towards the staircase. Both stare at each other for a while, Arnav was impressed that she woke up early unlike what he had thought, but he didn't show any expression on his face. Khushi immediately looked down and descended the stairs.

"Khushi you should have taken rest dear.. You still must be tired of traveling na!" Ratna said.

Khushi sat with the family to have breakfast. She smiled politely at Ratna, "I'm fine aunty.. don't worry"

"Chote Khushi can start working tomorrow right? Today we will take her to roam around London and let her know few places we often go.." Anjali said chirpily.

"She can start even after one month.. I don't care! She knows what she came here for!" Arnav rudely replied and sipped his coffee.

"But Chote.." Anjali frowned a bit.

"It's okay Anjali.. I came here to work only, I should start today only.." Khushi said and blinked her eyes assuring that she was fine.

Payal looked sadly at her husband, who gave her look that you already know how Arnav is.

"I'll get going now.." Arnav said taking his coat and bag.

Krishi who was on Khushi's lap, started crying bitterly watching Arnav walking to leave.

Khushi was consoling the little baby, but stopped everything even breathing for a while shocked when Arnav stood behind her chair, he bend so near to her that she could feel his breath and kissed Krishi's forehead. Krishi magically stopped crying, she started squealing smiling showing her four toothy smile to Arnav.

Arnav then left the mansion.

"Khushi bitiya I will take you to office.." Raj said.

Khushi nodded.

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

AR..

Knocking the door of Arnav's cabin nervously, Khushi stood there waiting for him to respond.

"Come in.." she heard his stern voice.

She opened the door gulping and took slow steps towards his huge table filled with papers, designs, laptop and pens.

Arnav checked his wrist watch and saw she was on time. He took few designs and placed on her side of the table, "Tell me what you feel about these designs? Which are you best and worst? And why?"

Khushi took the papers to have a look at them.

"Sit.." he ordered with his gaze fixed on his laptop and fingers busy in typing.

Khushi nodded and sat on the chair, her eyes widened when she saw those designs had his signature. That means it's not any designer or head designer who made this, but he himself designed the clothes.

"You've 5 minutes left!" she heard stern voice ringing in her ear.

She nodded and quickly took a look at the designs again instead of concentrating on his signature.

"Time's over!" Arnav kept his laptop aside and crossed his arms resting it on the table and looked at her with intimidating look, "What do you have to say?"

"Voh.. I think.." Khushi started.

"You think? You're not confident of what you speak and you think you're suitable for business world!" he mocked, "Your clients will not be waiting to hear what you think.. They want results! So show me what's best and what's not and yes.. stop stammering otherwise you'll not convince me!"

Khushi nodded with moist eyes, she picked two of his designs and described why he should opt for this, she explained the details why she chose them to be the best and later picked the worst designs and also explained why she chose it.

When she ended, a tear slipped from her eye, she quickly wiped it away but it was late as he had already noticed it.

Arnav rolled his eyes. He stood up taking his laptop and walked to leave the cabin.

Khushi followed him quickly and they both went to the conference room where a meeting would take place.

It was her first day, so Arnav asked her to pay attention to everything and then report it to him.

After the meeting ended, she quickly set to do the report and gave to him on time. He threw the report on dustbin in front of her and continued his work.

Khushi stare at him for a while shocked, astonished and deeply hurt.

He didn't show any reaction still, just then a man walked in the cabin.

"Good morning ASR.." Aman, Arnav's PA greeted with a polite smile.

"Morning Aman.. She's Miss Gupta and she will be working with us for the time being.. I want you to introduce Khushi to La, the head designer of AR.." Arnav said.

Aman nodded, "Should I show her here around?"

"Aman just do as I say!" Arnav replied.

Aman nodded again, he gesture Khushi to leave the cabin first. Then he followed her and took her to the designing department.

There Khushi met with Lavanya Kashyap.

"Who is she!?" Lavanya stare at Khushi analyzing her dressing style and her body posture.

"You came from India, right?" Lavanya asked.

Khushi nodded her head.

"Hi, I'm Lavanya Kashyap.. London's best designer ever!" Lavanya said smiling and extended her hand to Khushi.

Khushi shook her hand with Lavanya smiling, "I'm Khushi Kumari Gupta.. I just finished my course in fashion designing and I'm here to be trained by ASR sir how to handle this business.."

"Woah.. Lucky you're! Not everyone gets this chance.." Lavanya said surprised.

Aman nodded agreeing to it, "You're in safe hands Miss Gupta!"

Khushi looked down sadly thinking, "Lucky! I'm so unlucky that on first day he humiliated me so much.. He made me think I'm not worth working in this field.."

"La I'm leaving her with you.. The rest you know.." Aman said and left from there.

"So I have someone to help me at work.. Seriously talking, I was bored to work with these Foreigners, now I feel like I welcomed someone from my home.. My India! It will be fun to work with you.." Lavanya said with a cheeky smile.

Khushi giggled. Lavanya explained what basically they do, and Khushi was enjoying to work with Lavanya. She was fun and generous person unlike Arnav, who always kept his stern look to her.

But all her happiness ended when Arnav and another woman came to them.

"ASR.." Lavanya exclaimed smiling.

"I'm here also Miss Kashyap!" Sheetal Kapoor, the model of AR said mockingly with a smile plastered on her face.

"I know.. I only choose to ignore!" Lavanya replied smirking.

"ASR what a sweet and beautiful girl you brought to me.. We're having so much fun working together!" Lavanya said chirpily.

"Yeah.. I can clearly see that a party was going on here!" Arnav mocked.

Khushi looked down. Lavanya shook her head, "Party! Not at all.. We're working but enjoying unlike you who take life so seriously!"

"I didn't came here to talk about nonsense.." Arnav curtly replied, "Take Miss Kapoor measurements and start working on these two designs! She will be the showstopper.. There shouldn't be any mistakes on Miss Kapoor outfits!"

Saying this he kept the two designs Khushi chose as the best ones on the table and went from there.

"Woah.. If Lavanya is the best player, then ASR is the perfect master!" Lavanya said staring dreamily at the perfect masterpiece of ASR.

"How did you even pass the interview girl? Just by seeing your nonsense dressing style, I'm getting irritated!" Sheetal said annoyed staring at Khushi disgustingly.

"She is a special girl here Sheetal.." Lavanya said, "But why even I'm wasting time on a model like you? Let's get to work baby witch!"

"What did you just called me?" Sheetal asked feeling insulted.

"Baby witch! Nice name right.. I spend one entire second in thinking this name for you!" Lavanya giggled.

Khushi watching their less conversation and more of taunting each other amused. She was really experiencing something different here in AR. The new ambience, the new rules, new people, new way of working, new place!

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

Raizada mansion.. 8pm..

Khushi was in the living room with whole family watching Hindi movie. Krishi was playing on her lap, while the family's pet goat Laxmi tried to gain both's attention.

Arnav was working on his laptop and few times chatting with his family.

"Arnav beta how was Khushi on her first day?" Raj asked.

"She's a star.." Arnav said and paused.

The family smiled surprised to see Arnav complimenting someone. Khushi stare at him completely taken aback by his compliment.

"That lacks brightness!" Arnav ended looking intensely at Khushi.

"Chote you shouldn't talk like this to a guest.." Ratna said.

"I'm not used to lie to please others Mom.." Arnav said.

"Khushi don't feel bad for what Chote says.. He's like this only.." Anjali whispered to Khushi.

Khushi shook her head smiling, "I didn't feel bad Anjali ji.."

Baby Krishi kissed Khushi's cheek as if consoling her. Khushi smiled and in return kissed Krishi's chubby cheeks. Krishi giggled loudly.

Arnav for a while was lost in the view presented to him. Khushi was looking as innocent as Krishi playing with baby and making funny childish expressions, then both started teasing Laxmi.

"Nani do you know why we kept Krishi's name? Because I wanted a name that starts with K like Khushi!" Payal said.

"Oh really.. Khushi and Krishi are really beautiful names!" Nani said.

"Hello hi bye bye.. Indeed Sasuma!" Mami said, "The Baby boy will have his name starting with A letter then, maybe.. Ayaan.. Arnav and Ayaan.. What say?"

Payal blushed. Akash looked at his mother, "Ma app bhi na.. Krishi is just one year old.. And you're already thinking about another baby!"

Raizadas and Khushi except Arnav laughed.

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

"After this meeting ends.. I want the report sent to me.. And then we will watch the photoshoot of Miss Kapoor.." Arnav said to Khushi.

Khushi nodded her head.

"And then we will leave to check the arrangements of my fashion show.." he said.

Khushi nodded her head again.

"Stop nodding everytime! Speak up.. I don't like to work with dumb people.." Arnav gritted his teeth.

"Y.. Yes sir.." Khushi said.

Arnav walked in the conference room and Khushi followed him. She again made the report and as usual he threw it on dustbin in front of her.

They went and watched Sheetal's photoshoot.

Sheetal was as usual throwing tantrums not letting people do their work.

"It's not possible to work with Sheetal ASR.." Ray, the photographer said sighing hard.

"Then do the impossible!" Arnav curtly replied glaring at Ray.

Ray gulped and went again to pacify Sheetal to agree for the photoshoot.

Khushi was watching them silently.

"You should go and give Ray some suggestions how Sheetal should pose.. I want my clothes to sell, so make Sheetal pose in such way that people would be interested in the outfit and not her body!" Arnav said.

Khushi nodded, then hit her forehead: Yes sir!

She went to the photoshoot scene and start pleading Sheetal to pose properly.

"Who do you think you're to order me ahn? Do you even know ABC of modeling and photoshoots?" Sheetal shouted angrily.

"Miss Sheetal Kapoor I'm talking with respect to you so I expect you to do the same.. Yes, I may not know everything about photoshoot but this what I'm here for, to learn about each field that involves a Fashion Industry, I'm here to work hard to fulfill my dream of creating my own empire.. I'm not like you who's wearing a famous branded dress and thinks yourself to be famous! AR made you famous, so respect the company you're working for and cooperate with me and Mr. Ray.. Let us do our job, later on you can show your tantrums and play the role of a famous model, okay?" Khushi replied sarcastically and angrily.

Sheetal didn't even tried to speak a word. The make up artist came to adjust her make up, Khushi start giving suggestions for poses and Mr. Ray agreed to her ideas. The work was done and Sheetal left from there humiliated.

Arnav stood up from his chair and walked to Mr. Ray, "Good job!"

He walked away and Khushi had to run to reach him. As expected he would never compliment her work!

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

Days passed like this, and her work and challenges put by him intensified. No compliment, only work hard and receive scolding from his side!

It was her fourth week in AR.. She reached with Raj and Aman informed that Arnav called her to his cabin.

Nodding she walked to go, but an assistant came in hurry to her side, "Khushi please handle this dress for him.. You've to give it Sheetal.. She's about to do her photoshoot.. Hurry up please!"

She nodded and rushed to handle the dress to Sheetal.

Sheetal stare at her, "Finally! I thought I would wait for ages for someone to bring my dress!"

Sheetal took the dress and went to change. Khushi was also going towards Arnav's cabin when she heard a shout.

"Who did this to my dress? I can't believe it.." Sheetal walked out of the dressing room and angrily looked at Khus showing the torn dress, "How irresponsible you're.. How could you let this happen?"

"What happened Miss Kapoor?" Arnav came towards them.

"I didn't do anything!" Khushi spoke in her defense.

"Then who did? Me? Why would I spoil my own photoshoot outfit?" Sheetal asked sarcastically.

"ASR just look at this.. She brought the dress like this to me.." Sheetal showed to him.

"No.. I.."

"Wasn't it you who brought it here now?" Sheetal asked.

"I did.." Khushi looked down. She kept quiet after that because she knew if she said that it was the assistant who asked her to, the blame would fall on the assistant then.

Arnav gritted his teeth and barked angrily, "Miss Gupta if you're going to play the selfless type of girl here then this is not the right place for you.. You better pack your bags and leave from here.. Go and get married and take care of the kitchen and your Husband and babies.. There you can show all this selflessness you've inside you OK? You're not competent enough to be working under me.. and I don't have patience neither time to train dumb and useless people like you.. I called You to my cabin and you went to do other's job! Unbelievable!"

Arnav left from there angrily leaving Sheetal smirking evilly.

Khushi went to his cabin, she tried to remain strong. But today he shouted and humiliated her in front of Sheetal. She broke in tears standing in front of him.

Arnav had already taken his seat and was about to give her next task when he heard her sobs. He looked up at her for a while.

Khushi looked away crying and covered her mouth with duppata to control her sobs but they only increased.

Arnav stood up and walked towards her, he stood very close to her, raising his hand he wiped her tears away with his both thumbs on her cheeks.

Khushi closed her eyes letting few more tears escape from her eyes.

"Miss Gupta.. If you're done crying, then let me know.. I want you to check on these files.." he said pointing to the files on his table.

Khushi nodded and quickly composed herself, "Yes sir.."

"If you take the blame of others in you.. You'll always be left behind! Don't try to be selfless here, be truthful.." Arnav said as he watched her collecting the files on his table.

Khushi looked at him, "Yes sir.."

"I'm not your Captain to hear "Yes sir" always from you!" Arnav said sarcastically.

Khushi stare at him with Weren't you the one who said I shouldn't nod everytime?

"I'm sure you father didn't send you to me to be staring at me all day, right? Get to work Miss Gupta!" Arnav gritted his teeth.

"Okay Sir.." Khushi tried to maintain a calm expression on her face and left from there angrily.

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

Raizada Mansion..

Arnav and Khushi were on his study. He was explaining her few things about AR which he doesn't get time to when they're working in office.

Khushi was listening patiently to him and taking few notes of what he said. He himself revealed to her few of his success secret keys and shared the other fashion companies he has partnership with and contacts also.

He talked to her about the materials and items they use for the clothes they made, the quality of the products and where she can find good material with good prices.

They talked about the fashion shows, where the event often takes place, what all work does it take for a fashion show to occur and be a hit.

While talking Khushi mistakenly hit on her eye with the pen, "Ouch!" she rubbed her eye hissing in pain.

Arnav held her hand tightly stopping her from rubbing her eye, he blew air on her eye and asked huskily, "Is it fine now?"



Khushi nodded staring lost at him.

Rabba vee.. Rabba vee..

"Be careful next time.." he said.

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

"What? How can I attend the meeting alone?" Khushi asked surprisingly.

"If you dare to ask me this question again, I will send you back to India Miss Gupta!" Arnav glared at her.

Khushi gulped nervously.

"When I'm back, then I want to hear that AR grabbed the deal.. Am I clear Miss Gupta?" he asked.

Khushi nodded frightened. She never thought he could put her in a situation like this, she will have to attend the meeting on his place and also grab the deal!

Arnav left from his cabin to handle his other works with Aman.

She was left completely alone to handle the meeting.

She hurried up and went to the conference room. Sitting on Arnav's chair, everyone looked at her astonished.

"Good morning.." she smiled politely with trembling hands.

When the meeting ended, Khushi walked out of the conference room sighing in relief.

Arnav was walking in the office, he looked up at her who was standing in second floor corridor.

Khushi smiled at him and showed thumbs up gesturing that they grabbed the deal.

Arnav smirked.

At that moment, Khushi understood that he wasn't being rude, arrogant and cruel to her because he simply wanted to. He wanted to bring the best out of her.. He wanted her to get angry with him and show him that she can be best too.. He wanted her to show the passion she had for profession she choose.. He wanted her to be confident enough in order to create and make the empire of her own survive for a long time!

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

On the way back home, Arnav extended his hand to Khushi while driving gesturing her to give him the bottle of water in her hand.

Khushi passed it to him. He drank the water from her bottle and handed it back to her again.

Khushi kept staring at the bottle of water in her hand. Did he just drank from her bottle of water? Anjali said he doesn't like to share his things with anyone!

"You must be feeling thirsty.. Drink water!" he said.

"No, I'm not.." she nodded sideways.

"Drink the water Miss Gupta!" he said huskily.

Khushi pouted and took one gulp of her water. Arnav smirked to himself while driving.

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

More days passed and the team of AR was busy with the preparations of their Fashion show.

Arnav and Khushi went to talk with the XYZ company rresponsible for event decorations business. He himself wanted to explain what he had mind for the decorations and set of his Fashion Show.

Khushi noticed he liked to be a part of everything done in his company.

Arnav crossed the road in hurry, when he turned he saw Khushi disturbed and scared to cross the busy with cars driving road.

He walked back and held her hand, entwining their fingers, he crossed the road with her.

Khushi tightened her hold on him, and didn't let go of his hand till they reached the entrance of the XYZ company.

Reaching in the company, they walked in the lift and Khushi's heart started beating louder and faster once the doors closed. She gulped and looked away wiping the sweat on her forehead and trying to act calm.

Arnav pressed 9th floor button, as the lift started going up. Khushi let out a sob, she hugged Arnav tightly burying her face on his chest.

Arnav wrapped his arms around her waist protectively, pressing her more to himself and his lips automatically in the parting of her hairline.

When they reached at the 9th floor, the doors opened. Arnav broke the hug and wiped her tears with his both thumbs, "We've reached!"

Saying this, he held her hand and took her with him.

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

"Khushi bitiya.. let's leave.." Raj said taking the car keys.

"I will take her with me Dad.." Arnav cleared his throat, then he looked at Khushi, "I'm waiting for you in the car Miss Gupta!"

Khushi nodded with a small smile on her lips.

Raizadas shared a glance with each other not getting what's going on here.

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

"Khushi hurry up.. Krishi is crying uncontrollably.." Arnav said handling his niece who was getting cranky and throwing everything that was in front of her.

Khushi walked out of the bathroom in hurry. She took Krishi from Arnav's lap and started consoling the baby and whispering sweet nothings. Krishi cried more opening her tiny arms to Arnav.

Arnav stood up and patted his niece's back and kissed her chubby cheeks. Khushi too kissed Krishi's cheek.

When both pampered her, she calmed down and smiled. She rested her head on Khushi's chest while her tiny hand held Arnav's finger tightly.

Anjali and NK watched this scene standing at the door. They came to see why Krishi was crying loudly but stopped when they saw Arshi handling Krishi together.

"They look good together, right?" NK asked.

"Yes.. but Chote is one tough and stubborn man.. He's not going to listen to us neither give a chance to Khushi.." Anjali said sadly.

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

"Jiji is this looking good?" Khushi walked out of the bathroom wearing a beautiful and simple red Saree.

Payal nodded smiling, Krishi who was playing on the bed with her toys also giggled clapping her hands approving Khushi's look.

Khushi smiled blushing.

"You're looking so pretty Khushi.. I just don't know if Arnav ji is going to accept you to go to his Fashion Show dressed like this.." Payal said.

"Haan that I don't know also.. but he knows I don't wear modern type of clothes and he even saw that I mostly wear my salwar kameez in AR.. he never said anything to me regarding my clothes.. Also his family is also going to the Fashion show but Di, Nani, Mami and even you Jiji will be wearing traditional clothes na?" Khushi said.

Payal nodded, "Khushi are you happy working with him? I mean if you're not handling it anymore, then you don't have to.. I will talk with Bauji and explain him that Arnav ji is treating you like slave in his office.. He doesn't have any bit of consideration that you're my sister.."

"No Jiji.. Yes, in the initial days I thought he's so rude, arrogant and cruel to me.. He makes me work like slave and humiliates me at every given chance.. but then I realized he was doing this purposely because he wanted to hit my weak points everytime so that I work hard in turning my weaknesses into my strength!" Khushi said.

"I wanted to go back to Lucknow the very first day I went to AR.. but now.." Khushi's eyes turned moist. She didn't want to go back now..

"Well if you're saying so.. Then I'm more relieved now.." Payal said.

They left with Raizadas to Arnav's Fashion Show.

As soon as Khushi took an entry in the hall of the hotel where the show was taking place, Arnav's gaze was totally fixed on her.

Khushi stole few glances with him blushing while she walked with Raizadas to their reserved seats.

"Khushi bitiya.. come.. sit here.." Ratna called smiling and patted the seat beside her.

Khushi nodded and walked to seat beside Ratna but she stopped on her track when she felt someone holding her hand. She turned back and saw Arnav, her heart already melted seeing the chocolate brown eyes owner holding her so possessively.

"Come.." he whispered huskily and took her to sit with him and watch the show with him.

Raizadas were shocked watching this.

"She wasn't that important for him still he called her to watch the show with him!" Raj smirked.

Ratna smiled, "Try to understand.. Your Chote isn't going to say anything, his gestures are enough!"

Khushi watched the models walking on ramp with an surprised smile on her face. She could see the designs of AR gaining it's life here.

People around were commenting and equally overwhelmed as her.

"I'll be back!" he whispered on her ear and she nodded, "Okay!"

The next minute, she saw him walking on stage with Sheetal as the showstopper. Somewhere she felt something burning in her heart, she left from there with moist eyes.

"What's happening with me? Why am I feeling jealous of Sheetal? Sir was just doing his work, then why am I feeling a pain in my heart?" she thought confused.

"Hey.." a man stood before her.

Khushi stare at him with confused expression, "Do I know you?"

"No.. but I know you, ASR's assistant right?" the man asked.

Before Khushi could reply, Arnav came and held her hand tightly, then looked at the man angrily, "It's none of your business!"

"I was just.." the man tried to explain but in vain. Arnav dragged Khushi with him back the hall.

"Didn't I told you I would be back?" he gritted his teeth making her sit.

"You didn't tell me you would be walking on ramp with Sheetal.." she said frowning.

Arnav took his seat beside her, "That's my profession, if you don't know!"

"While sitting with you here is not my profession, that's the difference!" he added after a quick pause staring intensely at her.

Khushi felt goosebumps at the last line. A smile was growing on her pink lips which she tightly pursed to control the new emotions growing inside her.

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

After one more out of the many meetings she attended with him, she went to give the report to him.

She was just waiting for him to throw at the dustbin as usual but it shocked her when he started reading it.

Arnav looked up at her shocked form, "Will you bring a black coffee for me?"

Khushi nodded still in shock, she went to take coffee for him pinching herself to confirm if what she saw was reality or not.

Arnav kept her report on his bag, and continued his work.

Khushi came back with his black coffee. She overheard him talking with her father that she is trained enough to start a company of her own. Her heart almost skipped a beat on hearing it, her eyes moistened.. Will she have to leave him so soon?

"Sir.. Your coffee!" Khushi said keeping the coffee on table. She didn't make any eye contact with him as she didn't want him to notice the tears in her eyes.

"I was talking with your father.." Arnav said, "You're going back home soon!"

Khushi nodded looking down deeply hurt.

"Now go and help Lavanya with the designs.." Arnav said.

Khushi stare at him hurt, how could be so heartless to give this news to her and don't react to it all.

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

"What happened? Why are you worried like this Nani?" Arnav asked as he reached home late and saw Nani and Ratna chatting worriedly about something.

"Khushi bitiya slipped while descending the stairs.. Thank God it was nothing serious.. Otherwise what would we answer to Shashi?" Nani said.

"What the.." Arnav uttered shock, he left his bag carelessly on the couch and went running upstairs to Khushi's room.

Reaching in her room, he saw her sleeping peacefully though in pain on her bed. He raised her feet and placed it on his lap, he started massaging her feet gently and slowly to not disturb her sleep.

When he finished, he kissed her feet and stood up, covering her properly with the blanket, he left the room and closed the door carefully.

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

"Chote this is not done! You missed Khushi's birthday party.." Anjali asked annoyed.

The family was sitting and chatting in the living room as Khushi's birthday party was over.

"So what's the big deal?" Arnav asked rolling his eyes.

Khushi looked at him deeply hurt by his statement, a tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly went upstairs to her room.

Later when everyone was sleeping on their respective rooms, Arnav called Khushi.

"Hello.." Khushi attended his call with confused expression.

"Open the door!" he said.

"Huh?"

"Khushi I said open the door of your room!" Arnav said.

"Don't you know how to knock Sir?" she asked.

"My hands are busy!" he said.

Khushi pulled away the blanket and opened the door of her room. She gasped seeing him standing with a cake on his hand and a gift for her.

Arnav walked in the room, throwing his phone that was between his ear and shoulder on her bed.

He turned to her and gestured her to cut the cake.

"Won't you sing happy birthday to me?" she asked.

"I'm a bad singer.. So just cut the cake and eat.." he said.

"Leave it here.. I will eat tomorrow then.." Khushi said angry and hurt with his behavior, "First you didn't came to my birthday party and now throwing your attitude to me.. If this is not a big deal for you, then you don't need to do this at all Sir.."



Arnav himself cut the cake and took a piece, he cupped her cheek and made her eat the cake, "Happy Birthday!"



When he left Khushi sighed and sat on her bed staring at the cake he left on the table. Then noticed the gift, she unwrapped it and saw a beautiful red duppata. She ran her fingers through it smiling, "At least he knows what I like!"

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

Khushi was packing her bags upset. Just one more day and she would leaving this place, this house.. and Him!!

All these days she has been debating with herself and she realized that what she feels for him is nothing but Love. But she fears to confess to him as he never express his feelings to her.. She doesn't want him to think she's taking advantage of the situation now.. She came on her father's request, if she tell him that she loves him, he might take this in a wrong way.

Arnav walked in her room, "Done with the packing?"

"Almost.." Khushi said.

"Take this!" he said gifting her, a pen.

"You're a Star now.. I'm waiting to see you shine now.." he said.

Khushi nodded smiling faintly, "Thank you so much for accepting my father's request.. I will never forget.."

"That's enough.." Arnav stopped her from saying anything further. He hates emotional stuff.

He left from her room while Khushi watched him go with broken heart.

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

"Zaalim (Heartless/Cruel)" Khushi sobbed walking in the plane, she kept her luggage safely on its place as per instructions. Then took her seat, sobbing silently thinking about Arnav. He didn't even came to bid goodbye to her, his meetings are more important to him than her. He preferred to attend his meeting rather than coming to the airport to see her. He is that cruel man!

She shut her eyes tightly controlling herself from breaking down completely. Wiping her tears away, she composed herself and tried to be normal.

She looked beside her and gasped shocked seeing HIM.. She stood up unable to believe her own eyes, "Haww.."

Arnav smirked staring at her.

"Ma'am please sit.." the flight attendant said.

Khushi sat quickly and looked at Arnav shocked, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm coming with you to talk with my parents in law about US!" he said.

"Us?" she asked.

"Didn't you check properly that pen I gave to you?" Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded sideways. She quickly took her purse to see what specialty the pen had.

Arnav stopped her, and said huskily: I love you..

Khushi blushed deeply hearing his confess his feelings to her. She was on cloud nine after hearing this from him.

"I..voh.. Main bhi.." she smiled brightly.

"That's what was written on the pen I gifted you.." he said teasing her.

Khushi gave him look then pecked his cheek, "I love you too Mr. Zaalim!!"

Arnav smirked.