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Chapter 5 - Birthday

Finally it is Arvind's birthday. Arnav wished his father and conducted a pooja as per his father's wish. They distributed food and items to needy people....

Arnav took his dad for an outing, let him drive the car with Arnav managing the brake and accelerator.

At evening,

"Khushi beta didn't wish me...."

"She didn't know that today is your birthday."

"She know that...."

"How?"

"She saw my whatsapp status... remember the selfie we took when we cut the cake together. Khushi saw that....but didn't reply."

"She must be busy Papa."

Arvind likes Khushi a lot and when she didn't wish him it makes him sad.

"Yeah she must be busy...." arvind said in a low voice

"She told me that she will be out of town for couple of days"

"I thought maybe we would visit her restaurant....if she is not there...there is no need to go there."

It is around 8 pm.

"Arnav why are we here....?"

"Khushi called me and asked me to pick up something."

"Ohh"

"Come Papa"

"Why is it so dark here?"

Suddenly the light came along with a loud happy birthday. Arvind was surprised... He didn't expect this. Khushi came forward and kneel down.

"Happy birthday uncle." Saying this she hugged him

"Thank u beta"

"Arnav told me that you will be out of..." Arvind saw Arshi looking at each other and smiling

"So you both planned this together."

Khushi nodded her head.

Ravi and Santhosh too wished him

"Let's cut the cake." Khushi said with excitement and lead them to the table. A beautiful cake was there which says 'Happy Birthday to the Perfect Father'. the theme of the cake was world. There is a miniature open car in which there are 2 figures which present Arnav and Arvind. Arvind smiled seeing the cake.

instead of 60 it is 55 years. imagine a miniature of car instead of that elephant.

"I'm not perfect beta....and this cake is beautiful."

"Uncle....you are perfect to us....that all matters. I'm glad that you liked the cake."

"Khushi, I must say I didn't expect such an brilliant cake. Thanks a lot Khushi." Arnav said stunned with the cake. In between his talk he mentioned Khushi how he fulfilled his wish of taking Arvind for a tour. It was 3 years back when he is finally settled in his life. He took Arvind to places his dad wish to go.

"Don't thank me Arnav...we are err friends."

Arvind cut the cake and fed Arnav and then fed Khushi followed by his friends.

"Now here is my favorite part." saying this Khushi took them to another table.

The whole area was decorated with fairy lights and flowers.

"Birthday special dinner." Khushi said uncovering the dishes.

Arvind was blown away by it as he found his favorite dish....

"Beta...you don't serve all these here?"

"It"s a special day and special people gets special treatment....Uncle, it is the perks of being the owner's friend."

All his favorite Lucknowi food items were there

"Prakash Ki Kulfi and tokri chaat....where did u get this??? I mean I don't know we get this here?"

tokri chaat

Prakash Ki Kulfi

"I made this...don't know how it came out...."

"I and Ratna used to have these lots."

They had the food and in beteenwn Ravi got a call from home.

"Arnav beta ...I have to go now....Maya and her children came home and I have to reach there soon..." Ravi told Arnav

"Its OK uncle...you can go...."

"I will also go with Ravi...I don't want you to take the strain of taking me home...." Santhosh told them.

They gave their gift to Arvind and left from there.

After having their food, Khushi told Arvind.

"I hope you like this uncle." She gave him a gift

"Can I open it?"

"Sure"

It is a photo frame with lot of pictures of Arnav and Arvind.

"It is beautiful beta." Both Arnav and Arvind said

"So that's why you asked for some pictures?" Arvind asked her

"Yes"

"I too got a gift, Papa, something which you won't forget." Arnav gave his gift and Arvind opened it.

Tears started to form in his eyes as he saw Arnav's gift.

"How???" Arvind ask him.

"I had a doubt when you said that you gave it for cleaning....I went to the jewellery and asked ....they told me that you didn't give any jewelry for cleaning. Then I searched your room. I got a faded receipt. I asked Ravi uncle and he told me the told that you pawned it. He didn't know why you did that, but I know the reason. Why did you do that papa....u shouldn't have pawned it for my studies."

"I don't want u to loss an opportunity to study at Harvard.....I know u got the scholarship, but for some other expense related to your journey I had to do that... you and your future is everything to me. If your mother is here...she would have wanted that. She would have done the same."

Arnav was about to say something but Khushi placed her hand on his hand. Arnav looked at her and she shook her head

"It's OK papa....What you did was a big thing for me....now keep this with you forever..."

"No....I'm waiting for the right person so that I can hand over it."

"What??? How can u do that???"

"What?"

"You are going to get marry again?"

Both Khushi and Arvind looked at each other and started laughing.

"Ohh god, why did you gave me such a tube light son. Arnav I meant your wife."

Saying this both Khushi and Arvind started laughing again

"How would I know that? I'm not experienced. I mean I didn't see anything like that."

"OK...I will give this to my future daughter in law. Then you should give this to your kids. Give this to your daughter and to your DIL, then to their daughter and DIL. After that their daughter and DIL

"OK...stop ...I got it...." Arnav said rolling his eyes at Arvind which made both Arvind and Khushi to laughter.

Arvind started describing about the ornaments. When he brought it at what occasion etc.

"This necklace will suite you beta."

"But this is for your dil, isn't it?"

"I mean something like this will suite you, isn't Arnav?"

"Yeah...."

finally the party got wrapped up. Arnav and Arvind have to drop Khushi home.

Before entering the car,

"It was one of the memorable birthday I have celebrated in my life.... Thanks a lot...I'm glad to have you both in my life." Arvind said to both of them.

"I'm sleepy...I will sit in the back seat" Saying this Arvind entered the back seat....

"Khushi beta you sit in the front with Arnav.'

Arnav drived slowly as Arvind was sleep in the back seat.

After a few minutes

"Thanks a lot Khushi. It was the best party I have ever had."

"There is nothing to thank me Arnav. I like doing thing for you and your uncle."

They talked and listened to the music

On reaching Gupta house,

"I loved the party. I feel sooo happy to be with you both. I wish if I could be a part of your happiness like this. Good night Arnav. Take care of uncle."

Saying this she towards her home, before entering her home she turn back and looked at Arnav. She gave him a wide smile and went inside.

"She went home now, so start the car Arnav."

"When did you wake up?"

"When did I fell asleep to wake up? I was acting so that both of you can some privacy."

"You are the master of love Papa."

"Thank u for the compliment. Did you understand anything from what she told you?"

"What?"

"I feel pity for Khushi bitiya....why are you still a dumbo.....At least learn something from my love story."

"I don't get you Papa."

"You are such a waste Arnav...."

"Papa, she is the first girl I'm ever shown interest in my life...it's all new to me. What you want to tell me?"

"Do you love Khushi beta?"

"I think so...."

"You think so...? What kind of answer is that."

"I don't know if I love her now...I have feeling for her. If she is with me everything feels good."

"OK I got that...park the car somewhere"

Arnav parked the car.

"Close your eyes...."

"Why?"

"Close it. Arnav..."

Arnav did what his father told him to do.

"Who does come to your mind when I say love...."

"Khushi"

"Can you imagine your life without that person?"

"No"

"What if that person goes away from you, can you tolerate that?"

"No..."

"Can you imagine any other person in that person's place?"

"No..."

"If your answer to last 3 questions are no, then you are in love with that person." Arvind completed and waited for Arnav to open his eyes. He saw a wide smile on his son's face.

"Papa, I'm in love with Khushi." Arnav said hugging Arvind

"Do you know what the good news is???"

"What?"

"Khushi too want to be a part of our family. She is in love with you. Don't lose her beta, she is a gem."

"I know papa. What about me being ASR?

"Confess your love....wait for her reaction... After that you can reveal it....you being ASR doesn't have anything to do...she loved the Arnav who is the son of a daily wager" Arvind advised him to which Arnav smiled

"Omg....I have so much to dooo...Shagun...Sangeet....Haldi"

"Papa...I didn't proposed her....even if she agree what about her parents?"

"I'm sure that Khushi's family like you....talk with them...then propose her, that is good."

"What if her parents don't agree?"

"I don't think that they will disagree...even if they don't ....that's OK...we will try...we will try till we succeed...You and Khushi belongs with each other."

"You are awesome papa."

"Yeah I know, tell me something new."

"You are my hero and my inspiration.... my love guru."

Arvind hugged Arnav.

"Let's go home Arnav."

"Birthday boy gets to drive today."

"Sure"

Saving this Arnav held Arvind in his lap while he managed the brake and accelerator.

After a few days

Arnav is in some meeting with his legal team. Arvind came there to see him and was sitting in Arnav's cabin. After a few minutes, Arvind moved towards the canteen.

On their way Arvind heard someone calling him

"Mausaji...."

And he turned to find a lady walking towards him. he was shocked and whispered.

"Anjali bitiya???"

Anjali kneel down... "Mausaji...you...don't you recognize me?"

"Anjali bitiya you here???"

"My husband works here. We lost your address when we moved to Mumbai...papa didn't allow us to search for u..."

"Papa...." Arnav called him. That's when Arnav noticed a woman kneeling down in front of his father.

"Anjali...that's is Arnav...your brother..."

Arnav stood beside Arvind.

"Beta...she is your di....Anjali...."

Anjali rose up and touched his cheek

"Arnav..." Saying this she hugged him and cried.

Arnav was overwhelmed too. He doesn't know what to do....He slightly patted her head.

"Anjali....what are you doing?" Said a man

"I'm sorry for her behavior sir" Saying this Shyam pulled away Anjali

"Shyam...I told you about my other brother,isn't it?...my massi's son?...this is him...Arnav...and my mausaji." Anjali said pointing Arnav and Arvind, then turned towards them.

"This is my husband shyam"

"Shyam, why did you call him sir? Is he your boss?"

"Yes....he is our boss....ASR"

Arnav saw that everyone is looking at them.

"All of you get back to you works now." He said loudly.

"Hmmm...we should move to my cabin.' Arnav suggested.

Along with Anjali, Arvind and Shyam, Arnav went to him cabin and talked.

Anjali's first hubby was a fraud....Shyam is her second hubby. They got married 3 weeks back. Her father is no more. Anjali have a younger brother Akash with whom their mother Renjini lives. They came to know that Ratna's parents are alive and live with their son Manohar in Lucknow.

Shyam was surprised to know that Arnav is his BIL.

Anjali asked them about Ratna and she was devastated to know about Ratna.

During their usual chat Arnav told Khushi about his new found extended family. Khushi was happy for him. Khushi invited Arnav and arvind for nani's birthday.

Arvind and Khush hit off instantly. They were like long lost best friends.

Shashi and Garima were welcoming; they tried their best to make them comfortable. Nani did noticed the love shining in Arshi's eyes. After that days nani did hinted Khushi about being in love and all. Nani praised about Arnav sometimes and observe Khushi's reaction to it. There is a dreamy look in Khushi's eyes whenever she mention about Arnav, which soon turns into sadness.

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