Hey friends! I hope you have been well. I had been getting messages and comments to update so I took a little time out of my studies and wrote this chapter. I promise you will like it.

Happy reading! And don't forget to click that little cute star button if you like this story.

#Not edited. So please don't mind if there are some mistakes :)

Lunch went smoothly with light conversations. Sonal dee had decided to join us for lunch. Mamma had made variety of Indian dishes which were yummy. Arti dee even asked for some recipes.

After lunch we all enjoyed the Malai kulfi that I had made. I had saved one for Papa also.

Misha had also worked her charms on Sonal dee. I wish papa could have met Misha. My papa loved little kids and it gave him immense joy to spend time with them.

It was a cute scene to see Misha sneaking of Arnav's kulfi. Her little hands had a bowl in her hand with kulfi on it. She was sitting on Arnav's lap. Arnav had wrapped one hand lightly around Misha to ensure she wouldn't fall down. Another hand was holding the kulfi which was near Misha's face. Whenever she saw her uncle busy, she would lick her uncle's kulfi and smile mischievously.

She thought no one was looking at her but I knew Arnav was aware all the time. Whenever she did that, Arnav's face would stretch into a small smile. He tried his best to hide it from his niece so that she could enjoy knowing her plan was working.

It was such a sweet scene for me. Watching Arnav care for Misha as his own daughter showed how mature and responsible he was. Not to forget how deeply he valued relationships.

I couldn't help myself from smiling at the duo and thats what caught Misha's attention. She realised her harmless crime had now a witness but instead of crying, she gave me a big mischievous yet innocent smile. That was the smile that no one could resist. That smile could make you fall in love.

Her smile reminded me of Lord Krishnaji in his childhood days. How Krishnaji used to steal 'Makhan' mischievously. Misha's smile was what Yashoda maya would have seen in Krishnakji's face everytime he was caught doing the act.

Though I was no Yashoda maya of this little princess but she had somehow stollen a part of me.

I returned her a big smile and brought my hands out gesturing her to come to me.

Arnav saw this gesture between us and now his sole focus was on Misha.

Misha looked back between Arnav's kulfi and me. She was confused whether to continue her plan or come to me. It was really sweet to see how innocent children were. They were devoid of any evil thoughts. They were simply confused between sweets and person unlike adults who would be confused between persons.

After some second she finally looked down at her bowl and then proceeded towards me. She had finally decided that I was worth loosing a delicious uncle's kulfi.

She quickly came to me and I pulled her for a hug being carefull with her icecream. I didn't want to make her cry by making her ice cream fall. It would upset me to see her beautiful with tears.

I pulled her on my lap and wrapped my arms around her and rocked very slowly. She had a little smile enjoying the rocking ride. She looked at Arnav with her big eyes and giggled.

Arnav's face broke out in a huge smile hearing her sweet giggle. Everyone's attention was now on us with a smile. Watching Arnav smile had now become a special moment in my life. It was not less than a miracle to see the serious Arnav gone and a carefree and smiling Arnav.

Maa and Sonal dee's expression were of admiration and love while Arti dee's had an extra emotion that I recognized as pride.

What was she proud of? Her daughter's happiness or the way we bonded?

I brought my attention back to Arnav and found him staring at me. His intense stare was making me nervous but his smile was assuring me that it was not one of those stares that indicated I was in trouble.

Misha brought my attentions towards her by patting my cheeks with her little hands. I looked down at her.

"Mi! Nice!" She giggled again and patted my cheeks

"She means she likes you and that you are a nice person" Arti dee explained.

"Oh really?" I made a cute pouting face at her "Thank you Mishu" and I hugged her tightly while rocking.

"Okay enough Ashu, its my turn now" Sonal dee sat down next to me and held her hands out asking for Misha.

"Mishu, Look Sona dee wants to hold you. Go to her" I encouraged Misha as she was being shy.

She was still a little shy arround Mamma and Sonal dee.

After taking her time she went into the waiting arms of Sonal dee and smiled.
"Aesha, Can I talk to you for a second?"I looked at Arnav staring at me. I realised it was Arnav speaking to me.

"Oh okay" I said coming out of my daze before I could embarass myself.

I stood up and gestured Arnav to follow me to the backyard. It would have been uncomfortable to be alone in the bedroom with him. Also it would have been disapproved by the elders.

We passed through the tunnel like corridor which lead to door to the backyard.

I opened the door. We always kept it locked from inside. Safety comes first. You would never know when any thief may enter your house through the back and destroy our lives.

I walked out of the door and admired the pretty flowers in our small garden. My mamma was into gardening. She loved to take care of plants and appreciate the beauty of flowers.

In between the flowers there was also a Tulsi plant which in our religion was considered a sacred plant also as a god. We called it "Tulsi Mata". There was also a little Peepal plant which was another plant that had importance in our culture. My mamma used to light diyas in front of these two plants everyday during evening Arti.

Watching my mother pray with so much devotion was something that amazed me. She was so dedicated in her prayers. Not only in that, she was also dedicated to her family.

We also had a table and two chairs to sit whenever we wanted to enjoy the nature. But mine and my dee's favorite spot was the black swing chair that was kept a little away from the table.

I looked back at Arnav and saw him analyzing the backyard. I went to the swing chair and sat down. Arnav copied my action and sat beside me.

Being so close to Arnav was making my heart beat like a helicopter. I waited for him to break the silence but he didn't. So I took the responsibility on myself.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked staring at the grasses below.

"Thank you for calling us for lunch" I knew how sincere he was.

"You should have thanked my mother not me" I smiled at him. I knew he wanted to say something else but was holding back.

"I will but without you this could have not been possible"
"Isn't it amazing how it all turned out?" I looked at him smiling. I was happy that he was happy because of ne in some way. I liked the turn of events that happened with us.

"What are you talking about?" He frowned. It seems he had no clue about what I said.

"Us" I paused "How you used to hate me at the start. You couldn't even stand a word I said" I teased him

"I know and I am sorry for that" His face held regret amd sadness. I didn't want him to be sad.

"Arnav, I was just teasing you" I took his hand that was near mine and gripped it gently. I don't know from where I was getting courage from. Had someone mixed something in my food? Oh god I am not even in legal age to drink!

Aesha stop being stupid! What's done is done! Admit it you like it.

I was scared and nervous to look at him

"If you hadn't come in my life then I would have never experienced what I had today. I couldn't have understand what it feels to be in a family." I looked up at him softly.

"Arnav, I-"

"I know Arti dee has told you everything" Arnav interrupted me.

So I had been right, he knew.

"Yes she did" I confirmed but I knew it was not necessary. Arnav and Arti dee's bond was so stronger that they didn't need words to express themselves.

"I wish I would have been the one to tell you about my life first." He sighed "It was great to laugh without any reason and to be comfortable after all these years. Thank you Aesha. It feels good to be not alone." His gaze was serious but there was a hint of smile on his lips.He was pouring out all his emotions.

"You had Arti dee Arnav. You were not alone ever and you will never be alone. I am with you." I smiled and then realised what I said so I started stuttering. " I me-mean you have us, Peter, Rehan,Neha, Je-Jenny and-and"

"Shh..." Arnav put his finger on my mouth bringing me out of mine stuttering.

He chuckled while I shyly looked at grass. I was blushing hard and his fingers on my lips were of no help.

His fingers moved away from my lips but they were now holding my left cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned into his hands.

I was so engrossed in my La-la land that I never noticed when Arnav leaned closer. His warm breath tickling me.

I felt his warm lips on my right cheek and thats when my eyes decided to pop up the widest they could and all my bood rushed to my cheeks.

I stared wide at him. It felt like I was going to faint.

Was I dreaming? What was that actually?

Arnav was smiling but soon his smile turned into chuckle obviously my expression was the cause.

"You look so cute" Arnav pinched my cheek and laughed.

I had no way other than staring at the grass as if it was the best thing in the world at the moment and I had nothing else to do.

I had no courage to look at him or say something. I knew Arnav had turned the babbling Aesha into a coward and maybe a dumb also.

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