hellllllllllloooooooooooooo

Happpyyy Mondayyyyy

How are you all doing? Hope you and your loved ones are doing great!!😀😀😀😀

So yes –I am here with the next update on Invisible Strings!😀😀👩‍💻👩‍💻👩‍💻

Yes, yes, its their arrival in Fiji update and as the title suggests – the moment Arnav+Rajesh maan finally come face to face in real time after years! So just wanted it to stand out on its own.

Eager for you all to read it. Will let you all dive in straight away.

Word Count  – 6k Words

.............................................

Copyright :

Text Copyright©mysticaltales11111™2022

The Moral Right of the Author has been asserted. All Rights Reserved. This Story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or transmitted/distributed in whole or in part, in any manner, whether in electronic or in hard copy, without the written consent of the author, and any infringement of this is a violation of Copyright Law.

All Rights Reserved® mysticaltales11111

..................................

** If you are reading this work on any other platform other than Wattpad/ especially TRUYEN4U.net then you are very likely to be at a risk of a Malware Attack for these sites are Mirror sites – who are reflecting our work through a malware lens. If you wish to read this Story in its Orignal, Safe, form, please go to Wattpad.

Please bring it to my Notice by Messaging me on Wattpad, where in my username is – mysticaltales11111 - if you read this Story on any other platform, apart from Wattpad/ India Forums.

...................

28. Face to Face

48 Hours Later

On the Flight to Fiji Islands

Arnav looked out the window, soaking in the serene sight of the clear blue skies with clouds scattered all around. It surely was going to be clear, sunny, day in Fiji, he presumed in his head, given that they were all scheduled to land at the Nida International Airport, Fiji – in less than 50 minutes from now.

He looked at the empty seat next to him. Khushi had just stepped to the washroom, to freshen up, after stating to him gleefully that the clouds in the skies totally looked like bubbles of white horizontal cotton candy – to her eye. That had just made him grin and peek out on reflex. Manizeh had walked over to freshen up too – a couple of minutes post that. In the row – adjacent to his – Amaar was still sound asleep – with his headphones snug around his ears.

Arnav reckoned, Khushi would be back from freshening up in five- minutes or so. Perhaps, he use the minutes to just compose his thoughts/ on the turmoil within finally – without fearing her having to catch on it?

For his Gods, knew, now that he was just minutes away from seeing Rajesh Maan face to face – for the very first time – in decades – he couldn't but feel like a nervous wreck within. Not because, the man or his antics intimidated him anymore. It obviously didn't.He was just a nervous wreck within, thinking, how he was going to be able to pull off the pretend mode around – Khushi – successfully – especially when she had the knack of reading him like an open book. Well, he was like an open book in front of her anyway – except for this one guarded secret chapter..

Indeed, he'd been prepping himself for these moments - in his head for long time now. But now that the moment was heading closer – he couldn't help but feel the nervousness of it all consume him. What if – Khushi caught on to his edginess, he thought? What would he say then? What if, Khushi read more into his expressions, around the man? As it is, he'd been having a hard time keeping his jitteriness from her on this accord, ever since they boarded this flight to Fiji – right???

Or wait.

He couldn't hide this bit from himself, that he had actually been having a hard time handling this jitteriness+ the guilt of keeping the truth from her – more so since yesterday – when they'd(A&K) spent the majority of their evening – post Khushi's final wind up on her project – just working on shedding more of their emotional baggage from the years apart in the past – in the form of venting it all out continuously in letters+ burning it all off. It had become their thing to keep doing it dedicatedly – as much possible.

And once, again, those moments had been so raw and emotional for the two – to just experience and feel further liberated on the past's accord. And as the two had watched the last letter succumb to ashes – Khushi had immediately hugged him hard as she'd whispered emotional, that she was so glad, all their collective baggage was just being burnt off – for good bit by bit and as to how she was so glad that at least by now – she was sure there were like no major secrets of pain/angst in between the two on accord of the past. That from her – had edged him down into the well of guilt again – obviously – as he hugged her hard in the moment. Every inch of him, in the moment felt like just laying it all out in the open to Khushi – but then again the reasons as to why he hadn't done the same undercovers uptil now for her sake – just kept him mute again on the same accord.

What could he do then? In that moment – after?He'd Just succumbed to kissing her urgent and fiercely, which eventually led the two to make wild love to one another yet again with the ounce of raw emotions, driving the two all haywire as well, given that, that lovemaking session – came post the moments – that had anyway left them both feeling extremely vulnerable and emotional.

Godammit, it really was taking a toll on him, to keep it all from Khushi, even more now, especially now that things had deepened even more - in between the two on accounts of raw and vulnerable emotions – related to their physical intimacies+ lovemaking. Indeed, those moments, with one another had so much emotional depth to it – all - right? It just was adding so much more fuel to his intense deep love for her and he knew – it was the same for Khushi in his context. It was in her eyes...Just like it was in His...

Ugh. Perhaps – he just had to find a way to write off a couple of pages on this and burn it off – tonight – after Khushi was asleep? He hadn't been able to do the same, last night, given that he'd succumbed to deep sleep himself.

And then in the rush off – leaving early morning+ transit+ travel – it had gotten buried in as usual – but then had come to surface again when they had boarded their last connection flight to FIJI and it was all now beginning to hit him hard – given that he was – just forty minutes – away from seeing the man in real time.

Dammm.

This was surely going to be harder to execute in real time – he thought. Was he really going to be able to look at the man's face as if he were talking to him for the very first time?As if, nothing in the past – had happened?

It is right then – Arnav looks up to spot a grinning in excitement Khushi – walk back to him with Manizeh right behind her who grins at him as well and they exchange a nod.Manizeh takes her seat next to Amaar and she gestures to the two that she was going to resume watching her movie given that Amaar was still asleep - and Khushi takes her seat back next to Arnav – nodding at her to get on with it.She looks back at Arnav just then – and the two share a heart warming smile + eyelock.

Arnav reminds himself for the gazillionth time in the moment – that for this one sight of Khushi's smile – he'd just have to find a way to go about this – no matter how hard it was. Right? He could do anything for her, right? There wasn't anything in the world, he wouldn't do, for her? Right?.

So damm, if that involved keeping a stone on his heart(yet again) on this accord and pull off a pretend mode around her Dad – successfully – then so be it.He was sure of one thing, though. What thing? That the only thing that could keep him going amidst this all – for the next one week around the man – was the sight of Khushi smiling next to him. She surely had to be like around him all the freaking time.

He gestures her to hand him, her hand. She does. He kisses on Khushi's hand lovingly at that as he whispers – " baby...we landing in your Fiji...in forty minutes...k? Just promise me that....your attention is not going to diverted off me much...k? when you are finally around your parents+ relative circle here – for that matter...I mean...yes...as much as I understand...you are returning after a couple off months to Fiji..I gotta state my interest...nonetheless...right?? I mean...you freaking just got to stay by my side...all the freaking time...k? promise me that...no like...leaving my sight...longer than five minutes...k?"

Khushi chuckles at that loving the sound of it in her head and she winks at him – " well, I was in the washroom, freshening up...it took me...six-seven minutes...baby...that's longer than five minutes...surely that parts got to be excused..."

Arnav chuckles and leans sideways to whisper in her ears– " well, yes, just that is excused...but just that....for anyway...you aren't showering without...me...hereafter....during the duration of this trip...for sure..."

Khushi gapes at him, feeling her insides flush already.Heaven's knew, she couldn't let her mind go there right now to the memories of their wild intense moments with one another in the shower – from the last two days – "ahemmmm.... is this the place, you mention....this...baby??"

Arnav grins – " why not ??"

Khushi rolls her eyes, eyeing the flight cabin around – "very funny......you know why..k? ,"but she leans in to whisper teasing him – " but...hey....your plan might not work rockstar...mum's got your room ready....closer to mine...yes...but its not like we'll be sharing a room...so ya...all your shower fantasies that we took each other's breath away with at Bali – will just stay there...I guess....for now..."

Arnav gapes at her and states the obvious – " what the??as..if....just you see...baby...just you see...."

Khushi grins – " what do you mean? just you see??you plan to sneak into my room...for shower?also now? or you will just coax me into sneak into yours??"

Arnav grins – " well, we surely have no other option but to resort to rotating both of those...options...I guess..just like it will be like that for our sleep time...at nights...like no way..am I not sleeping next to you....I think that's a given isn't it? baby? You agree...surely...,"And he locks his gaze intensely with hers.

Khushi nods at that, feeling herself shiver under his electric gaze – " Damm...stop...looking at me..like that right now...Arnav..we are in the flight.."

Arnav winks – " dammm...why are we in the flight??"

They share a warm chuckle and Khushi kisses on his hand now, unable to contain her excitement about Arnav finally being just minutes away from landing alongside with her in Fiji. She knew – she had to keep talking or else he'd just combust her with that gaze of his at the point and she admits now – sure he could see all the excitement in her eyes – " Godammit...I am so excited...baby...like so so excited...like I could literally pilot this plane to landing...that's how excited I am ya...I mean...you will be with me in Fiji...at home...finally...after years of me dreaming about it in my head....dammit...this is just surreal...you will meet Mum and Dad also after ages....I mean...you have no idea how excited I am for you to meet them, after all this while. Last, you saw them/spoke to them - was when they took me away na....ages ago...,"And she pauses, for she thought she spotted Arnav flinching in his spot at that.

She asks puzzled raising her eyebrow – " did you just flinch??"

Arnav groans within.Damm, this woman. It really was going to be the hardest to be normal around her. He states casually – " nah...I didn't..."

Khushi narrows her eyes – " oh , you surely , did?? Why??,"and it hits her just then and she asks – " Whatt?? Wait...are you actually nervous about meeting Mum and Dad??"

Bingo!Arnav thought. He could use this premise in his favour. He smiles nervously clutching on her hand – " well...you caught me...I guess..."

Khushi rolls her eyes and kisses on his hand – " uff....but why you feeling nervous yaaa?? Arnav...c'mon...after all the reassurance from me on this accord...,"and she pauses as she feels his finger come on her lips at that as he says looking deep into her eyes – " shhh...k? its not because of lack of reassurance from your end...baby...its isn't that at all....just...as you said...it I haven't seen them/spoken to them in decades...right?only normal to feel this way...and honestly...yes...I think...I am a lil bit nervous about your parents reaction to us wanting to begin living in together soon...I mean..what if they get mad at the sound of that?and your Dad just asks me to take my bags to the hotel, for the duration of my stay here in...Fiji... haan??"

Khushi cups his cheek at that wanting to reassure him yet again– " well, as if I'd ever let it come to the latter....I just have to make Mum and Dad understand...why I think...it's the best next step for our relationship...they'd surely understand that with us...nothings can be looked at too soon/normal courting pace of couples...for well...our tale is just different with all our intense history...k? every couple...has different dynamics and pace Arnav...and...what works for us..only...we know...right??,"and she hears him say – " indeed...well...I couldn't agree more to the latter..."

Khushi asks supportively – " you wana talk about the nervousness...factor...though .Arnav??"

Arnav shakes his head at that – " Nah. I am doing okay, baby.Just some nervous jitters...that's all...nothing I can't handle. No biggie...you chill...k?"

Khushi didn't want to push him into this for as she steadied him just shifting in his seat again nervously – taking a look sideways to soak in the view – she really felt – as if he were trying to recollect his within's on this accord. I mean, if situations were reversed, and it would be her meeting his adoptive parents after decades...it would make her nervous too. So perhaps, he was right...this was just normal?

Probably, she just divert the topic.She knew the exact topic that would divert all his nervousness – in a jiffy. She had to shift the topic to herself.

Khushi exclaims now all relieved - " okay then..just got to say this again...baby...I am just so glad....about this..I mean... it's been such a pleasant surprise to not have been trolled to the edge of space by now...post your announcement about us......"

Arnav looks back at her immediately at that and admits sincerely kissing on her hand, forgetting all about his momentary nervousness in the moment – "well, it isn't a surprise to me...for I just believed it wouldn't happen..anyway..I mean I...can't freaking believe ...you thought you'd be trolled left, right, center...Khushi...like...I still don't get it...as to why you even thought that...in the first place...you are freaking fantastic baby..and so very brave...as well....infact if anyone should be trolled...it should be me...I mean...my partners a freaking excellent research scuba diver..and I can't even freaking swim in deep waters....like imagine..the meme's that could go viral just on this accord...baby...a picture of you diving side by side vs me feeling all jittery whilst even entering the deep side of the pool..."

Okay! That from Arnav – obviously cracks – Khushi up and the two end up sharing a warm chuckle at that.

So, the next day post announcement, when they'd woken up in Bali – Khushi had come face to face with the reality that had surely been like a huge pleasant surprise to her – that majority of the netizen world(including rockstar ASR fan club etc) - had been showering best wishes upon Arnav's announcement of them as a couple.

Well, there was still a section of a few online trollers – but those were like completely few and negligible in comparison to the best wishes coming poured their way and she knew they both had Aman to thank for this yet again – for it was him who'd given an insight into their solid connection as childhood sweethearts from their days at the orphanage together – in the statement! And that bit had led a lot of people to just comment/react on supportive lines...the highlight being – who didn't love to see childhood sweethearts map their way to their own happily ever after...through ups and downs ...in life...etc etc....and how from one point...it was so wholesome...to just know...that sometimes...certain bonds can transcend the waves of time...to find their way back to one another etc etc...

Khushi admits now smiling – "well, but hey...you are brave too..baby...I mean...it takes freaking guts to perform in front of thousand's...k?so...don't you say..that you aren't brave...I guess..we are both brave in our own respective ways when it comes to our work?"

Arnav nods and Khushi goes on grinning – " and also...I think...the main reason why this has gone so smoothly is Aman...right?Arnav??we both know...we just gotta keep thanking Aman for this...he's been so amazing in handling all of the paparazzi statements from your end...back in India...."

Arnav grins – " I know...no matter how much we thank him...it shall not be enough.... he's the freaking expert...baby...and yes...I most surely will drop him another thankful text on arrival again..."

Khushi nods – " As will...I...,"and they both pause on chatter as the pilot announcement about ascent+ landing comes through. Khushi exchanges an excited look with Arnav at that and a couple of minutes later as the announcement finishes and the cabin crew begin to see through it – Khushi says to Arnav excited – " okay...just thirty five to forty minutes more...baby...max...and then we....see...Mum and Dad...look...like they are also so excited to meet you...that they coming to the airport to pick us up..."

Arnav gulps down his nervousness at that. He just had 35-40 more minutes to get his pretend mode going in full swing?????? He covers up with a smile in front of Khushi in the moment – " well, baby...about that...I am sure...it's got more to do with the fact off you arriving home after months...not because..of me being by your side..,"and he sees her state playfully – " oh please...it could surely be because of that...as well...but you are surely the reason for it...too...baby...,"and at that the two turn to look at Manizeh across – as she's called out to them excited – to look on as she playfully begins to wake up – Amaar from his slumber – gesturing to the cabin crew that she'd get him to get his reclining seat in upright postion.

Khushi clutches on Arnav's hand at that excited – totally oblivious to his turmoil. Arnav just clutches on hers back soaking in silent support reminding himself that for her – he just had to do this. And somehow, he managed to grin along with Khushi as they watched on Manzieh – proceed in her playful moment of waking Amaar up – mischievously.

......................................

One Hour Later

At The Arrivals Lounge – Nadi International Airport

Ellie looks at her husband, pacing to and fro impatiently and she bites back her grin – " Raj...you do know...you pacing around impatiently this way..isn't going to make them...walk through the gates...prior...they just landed fifteen minutes ago...perhaps..there is a line at immigration?? Or something?? just... sit down will you please??"

Now, if only Rajesh Maan could tell his wife that he was pacing around to curtail his nervousness – because he was minutes away from seeing the boy he'd once so deeply wronged.He was expecting a full fresh tsunami of guilt stirring within him at the mere sight of the boy. He covers up now in front of her – and admits looking at his watch – " well....El...first thing out...they flew in business...which means...surely..there's got to be minimal que in that section of line at immigrations...plus the rest three are residents...its only Arnav who has an Indian passport...and even Indian passport holders don't need visa to get into Fiji...anyway...so no way...immigrations could have held them up longer...and no...do not ask me to stop pacing this way...you know...I just can't wait....last minute wait..always makes me impatient..."

Ellie grins – " yes yes, I know that. I can't wait too ...okay..then you keep pacing..."

Rajesh groans – " whats taking them so long??"

Ellie – " oh...they got to wait for luggage to turn up at the belt...too...right? Raj??wait...ill just check with Khushi...on text.."

He nods at that and continues pacing. As he watches Ellie text Khushi – he decides to text Arnav himself.

Rajesh : Boy, whats taking you all so long? Immigrations cleared?

His phone beeps.

Arnav : Yes, we done with immigrations. Just by the luggage belt, waiting for our luggage. Will be out post that.

Rajesh hears Ellie tell the same to him in context of Khushi's text.

Rajesh : Ellie is on chat with..Khushi..right now..

Arnav : I know...

Rajesh : You know?

Arnav: she's obviously stating the same to me...in glee...upfront.

Rajesh : okay! look boy, remember to get your acting skills in full swing k ? Full on pretend mode should be on in front of Khushi. Act, like you are seeing me after decades. Act, like, as if we will be even speaking a word to one another after decades....k? I will do the same too – obviously.

He taps send and waits for his reply.

Arnav : As if, I need you to remind me of that ?? I know what I got to do. You seem to be quite nervous – about this – though.Why? Guilt? Acting up?Mr.Maan?

Rajesh gulps down a bout off guilt at that and doesn't – reply to Arnav in the moment as he hears Ellie ask – " whom you texting? Khushi says...they will be here soon...as luggage arrives.."

Rajesh keeps his phone back in his jeans pocket – " just dropped Samarth the text – to get me a coffee too.."

Ellie nods and thankfully right then – she gets distracted as Manizeh's Mum walks back towards them – from freshening up too – and the two ladies get busy in chatter – discussing how they couldn't wait to meet their girls etc tc.(So, Manizeh's Mum + Samarth had obviously come along to receive Amaar+ Manizeh at the airport this time around.)

And Rajesh Maan uses the moment – to just compose on his inner turmoil/thought process at that – gesturing to Ellie that he finish a quick work call before Khushi arrived.

He totally needed this last minute of composure -to just get his guilty jitters sorted.

..............................

Fifteen Minutes Later

Rajesh Maan should have known. He should have just freaking known that the very second, he'd see the boy, live in front of him in real time, he wouldn't be just be hit by tsunami of guilt within. Because, it was much more than that.

In this moment, as he stood next to an overexcited Ellie+Samarth+Manizeh's Mum – waving at the four as they made their way out the arrivals towards them – with Arnav+ Amaar wheeling the trolleys – Rajesh Maan felt like he'd just felt a freaking bomb of guilt – explode within him at the sight off Khushi's excited+happy vibe as she clutched onto Arnav's arm in the moment whilst walking and him smiling down at her – lovingly and sincerely in the moment – as she talked to him.

Even from looking from afar, he knew, she was probably filling in Arnav about how she was probably wanting to run across and he was just lovingly listening to her – no matter how much of a turmoil the boy was fighting within on his own – Rajesh Knew.

Hell, it freaking hit him hard. Spotting this happy vibe in between the two from a mere glimpse from afar freaking just hit him way too hard with guilt as his heart told him – he was the reason – why this vibe of happiness had been taken away from these two's life's for years...right??????????? You know how they say, certain moments, in Life - can just be like solid moments of reminding one of gravity of one's misdeeds? Well, this was one such solid instance for Rajesh Maan as he fought his inner battle on this accord at just the first sight of Arnav being in one frame with Khushi.

Damm. He was going to be living in his house.He totally had to get a grip on himself, Rajesh reminded himself.

He manages to cover up with an excited smile himself as he begins waving to Khushi – gesturing her to just run to him – now. It is also right then – the boy looks up directly at him for the very first time – and for a second – before he managed to pull up a curtain of pretend over his eyes – Rajesh Maan thought he surely spotted a flash of disgust+loathing go through the boy's eyes – momentarily – for a nanosecond.

How did it make him feel? though?that flash of disgust and loathe in the Boy's eyes? Beofre he finally covered it up to be the grinning version of his normal self at the sight of Khushi running towards him?

It made him, feel like, as if another fresh bomb of guilt had just exploded on him – Indeed.

....................................

Arnav couldn't help it. He couldn't help but let the feel of his actual feelings at finally spotting the man – in real time – take over his being – before he finally managed to cover it all up – channelising his pretend mode.

But he knew – Rajesh Maan had surely spotted it just in time. Only reason why he had paled for a nanosecond, in his face, momentarily, before finally covering up and gesturing Khushi to run to him excited.

The sight of Khushi running happily to her father – obviously distracted him momentarily as he kept walking the trolley behind with Amaar as Manizeh ran to her Mum too. Samarth waved at the two happily and the two just waved back as well.

But only Arnav knew – what this moment was squeezing out of him. Damm. It was gut wrenching to finally come face to face with Khushi's adoptive Dad. To finally see – Rajesh Maan up close in front of him. Because, even though, he'd been prepped for this, planned to keep his composure on – for once he couldn't be helped – but be reliving that haunting memory of his call to him years ago and all that it led to after in his life...in Khushi's life...their years apart. Now that,Khushi and him, were working so dedicatedly to vent out their angst on that accord and be burning out all the pain – he now knew the exact depth of that wound – in them both – right??? And to now, finally see Rajesh Maan in front of him momentarily – just brought all that ache, pain, and hurt, and humiliation back upto the surface in a freaking jiffy.

And the worst? That he was having to smile through it all. Pretend , as if, he wasn't going through what he was! Dammmmmmmm! He took a deep breathe , deciding to take solace in the sight of Khushi hugging on her parents now – as Manizeh hugged her Mum as well.

Minutes.

Just freaking minutes away he was – from being formally introduced to the man – Arnav knew. Just ten steps away and his gods knew – what strength he was channelising to get through with this.

Only for Khushi.

And so, keeping an aching boulder on his heart+ actual emotions – Arnav finally stepped up as Khushi came to his side to drag him by the arm happily to his parents with Amaar+Samarth+Manizeh+Manizeh's Mum watching on smiling – as she states excited – " here he is...mum...daddy...Arnav...here he is...finally...and Arnav...that's Mum and Daddy now..."

Arnav nods at Ellie Maan first briefly politely and sincerely – as he came – Face to Face with her parents. It is right then – Rajesh Maan looks directly at him as well – and the two men manage to just exchange a subtle sincere nod – totally in pretend mode – even though each were going through mountains of turmoil within. Rajesh Maan fighting his guilt and Arnav covering his ache/angst on this man's accord.

Because, he could see Khushi beaming at him happily – Arnav finally took his hand out for a shake first towards Rajesh Maan as he spoke keeping his tone casual, calm and excited to some extend even though his heart was breaking within at that in some way atleast – " hello...sir...it's been a long time...so glad to finally meet you again..."

Even though no one else around them, knew of his turmoil right? But Rajesh Maan – knew. He knew, what it was taking off the boy – to do this happily for his daughter. He just smiled back at him as excited momentarily and shook his hand and answered – " Arnav...my boy..indeed..its been a long time...last..we saw...you at Lucknow...you were...just a young lad off... fourteen...look at you now......"

And Arnav fills in smiling casually but with the inner intent of getting his message across to her dad – " indeed...sir...back then...I was just a young lad of fourteen....but..now...years later...I'v grown and evolved for sure...,"and he pauses to look at the smiling face of Khushi again. Heavens knew, he needed to see the sight now to keep him going.

Rajesh Maan nods at that – in pretend mode.

And Arnav goes onto greet Ellie now sincerely and as she greets him the same way - but pulls him in for a sincere motherly hug - outta the corner of his eye - Arnav sees Khushi watch on happily – her eyes tearing him all emotionally in happiness as Ellie states to all excited pulling up from the hug rubbing on his arms – " well...evolved and grown...boy...would be an understatement....indeed....look at how far you have come...in your life...son...we are so proud of you...and so so happy for you and Khushi...so happy that you two found your way back to one another....welcome to the family son...welcome to the family once again......"

Arnav freezes in his spot at finally pulling up as he gapes at Ellie in shock+ emotion. Not many apart from Mini Maa+ Matthew Dad+Sister grace at the orphanage used that sincere affectionate tone with him in the word son – " wait....aunty..did you just call me...son??"

Ellie nods and pulls Arnav into a sincere motherly hug again at that as she says all affectionaley – " indeed....I called you son...what else should I call you haan? also...take your time son...but eventually do away with this aunty business...please? Khushi calls...me...mum...you must too...eventually...I'd love it..."

Arnav hugs onto her sincerely at that – suddenly moved by her sincerity and affection in the moment. Just the vibe was once again enough to confirm to his heart once again that she had never been a part of her husband's cruel games.

Khushi feels her eyes well up at that as she clutches onto Manizeh's arm as she whispers – " I think..i am going to cry in happiness...manzieh...the sight off Arnav meeting Mom and Daddy..finally...them...welcoming him with open arms...so sincerely..."

Once, Arnav pulls up from hugging Ellie – finally Khushi and him exchange an emotional eyelock as she goes onto introduce him to Manizeh's Mum and once Arnav's done greeting her sincerely and politely as well, he goes onto hug and greet – Samarth as well.

All the while, as Rajesh Maan watched these moments unfold – and the boy doing his best to act normal, casual, in full on pretend mode – fresh bombs of guilt just kept exploding on him again and again. Infact, those guilt bombs went onto become – like nuclear guilt bombs by every passing second.

It took Rajesh Maan - all his strength to keep his own mask of pretend on – as he caught the intense vibe of love+ deep emotion radiating from Khushi towards Arnav in the moment as he greeted and met everyone. She didn't even need to say a word to him, on that accoord. He could just sense – it all. And he'd been the one...to bring his own daughter+ the boy ache..for years....

He'd been the one to drive a wedge to her heart – this boy's heart...

Damm. Even though he was burning in guilt, he knew he had to keep it in. Served him right to feel its volatile flames grip and consume him = perhaps?

Nonetheless, Rajesh still also wanted to take this moment - to put forth another step of truce towards Arnav for even though they were in pretend mode – surely the boy would understand where he was coming from in the moment?

And now that Arnav had finished greeting and meeting everyone – Rajesh walked up to him to pat on his arm sincerely as he spoke – " also..I'd like you to do away with calling me Sir...Arnav...eventually...I am khushi's daddy afterall...you can call me...dad as well..eventually...as Ellie said...you are now a part of our family...aren't you? we'd love nothing more than to have you call us Mom and Dad..."

Now, that from Rajesh Maan just freaking hits Arnav hard. All a part of him wanted to do was – just yell back at him hard – NOOOO – never in my life could I use the word Dad for you even and filth the sancticity of it in my life for its reserved just for my Matthew Dad – but given that he couldn't do any of that as Khushi was watching on emotionally – looking at him – with welled up overwhelmed eyes – he just managed to smile and nod and say for now – " well...maybe...eventually...for now..uncle and aunty...works...uncle...I mean..for all my life...prior...iv just refered to Mini Maa and Matthew Dad as...so...it will take me time...hope...you understand.."

Rajesh pats Arnav's shoulder at that again hoping the boy got the hint that this was just his gesture of truce again – " ofcourse, we understand boy...no worries at all...you take your time.."

Ellie chips in the same.

And right then Amaar , Manizeh, plus Samarth finally gesture the group to get going on for now. They all begin heading out – and once everyone had stepped a couple of steps ahead in chatter - Khushi just pauses to engulf Arnav in a big, emotionally intense hug as she whispers happy tears rolling down her eyes at that – " godammit..baby...these moments of you finally meeting Mum and Daddy are just frozen in my mind forever...why do you think I was watching on silently...haan? because I was so freaking stumped emotionally....you have no idea what this means to me....I love you..baby..so much...so godammit much......"

And what could Arnav do in the moment?

He just hugged on Khushi hard to himself as he manages to whisper keeping a boulder of pretend plus ache on his heart brushing her hair – " I love you...Khushi...so godammit much too...and I know...baby...I know...what this moment means to you...I know..exactly what this means to you...," and he adds to himself silently at that – which is why, I never want you to know how freaking gut/soul wrenching it has been for me to come – Face to Face – with your Dad again in this moment...Khushi....and Why...........

And so in this moment – that was freaking heart breaking for him to still go on with – Arnav still manages to put on a smile on his face – as he pulls apart a minute later from the intense emotional hug with Khushi and kisses on her head tenderly , before they begin walking to join everyone...

Just for her – he'd do this – he reminded himself again. Just for her – he was doing this – he reminded himself – over and over again.She was the only one – who was going to be his soothing balm through that wound of the past on accord of her adoptive Dad. The wound that had just become all open, raw and vulnerable again – at the mere sight of him.

The wound that had just managed to cut its way all deep and fresh again - AT – Finally – Coming – FACE TO FACE – with the man...

......................................................

Tadddddaaaaaaa!

How was that guys??????????

Rajesh Maan+ Arnav finally coming face to face??????????? Hope my words were able to depict the underneath turmoil....of our rockstar...on this accord...its ofcourse very painful for him to go through this.....! He feels like he has no other option but to cope. He surely is gathering all his strength on the same...massively. How well, will he cope? And most importantly - How well, will Rajesh Maan, cope, lets see....????😉

Next Update on this – Will come in tomorrow night😀😀😀

See you soon guys! Take Care!

Thank you, tons*tons*tons,

Much Love* Infinite Gratitude – Now&Always

❤️🙏❤️

Prachi