8pm
Arnav's Farm House.

Arnav took a seat beside Khushi on the couch, holding a cup of tea and mug of coffee in his hands. He handed the cup of tea to Khushi, "Your tea."

"Thank you," Khushi smiled politely while taking the cup from his hand. She looked back at the TV screen in silence.

"I thought like other girls you would be excited to try your clothes.. and you didn't even took them out of the bags yet," Arnav said.

Khushi sighed as she glanced at him, "I will try them later.. I'm just not in the mood."

"Hmm.. And when do you plan to be in the mood?" Arnav asked, sipping his coffee casually.

Khushi stared at him incredulously, "It's not easy Arnav. You're talking as if everything is normal in my life. I'm feeling alone, homeless and completely unaware of what is to come in my life."

"You're not alone, you're with me. You're not homeless, you're in my house. And not only you, everyone else is completely unaware of what is to come in their life," he said, "Khushi it's okay to feel helpless at some point in our life. It's okay to cry in front of your friend (Lavanya) and share with her what's in your heart. It's okay to stay in my house till you're better state of mind to figure out what to do with your life. But after all this, you need to get up and move on Khushi."

"I didn't like that you forced a smile on your face the whole day when you're not even happy," he finished in low tone, looking away from her pretending to watch the TV.

Khushi was just staring at him speak, not knowing what to say at that moment. Because it didn't feel like he was consoling her, but telling her that he can't see her upset. He's also upset because she is not happy.

"Why do you treat me like family when I'm just a stranger to you? Why are you doing so much for me?" she  broke the silence between them.

"Well," he cleared his throat, his eyes turned in her direction, "I'm not sure if this is the right time to answer this question of yours."

"Why?" Khushi looked at him with curiosity filled in her eyes.

"It's the kind of conversations you don't like to have with me Sherni," he smirked.

Khushi kept her cup of tea on the near table with one hand, while she extended her other to grab a cushion she used to hit Arnav on his shoulder, "You brought me here to flirt with me?"

"What are you doing? You're going to spill coffee on me," he laughed holding the mug of coffee firmly in his hands, staring at her incredulously and taken aback as he didn't expect her to him with a pillow, "And the answer to your question is.. maybe!"

She looked at him hurt. His answer made her feel a sharp pain in her heart. Perhaps, she was expecting him to answer something else.

She stood up from the couch ready to leave the living room when Arnav's voice stopped her, "Finish your tea!"

"I will finish it in my room," Khushi took the cup of tea from the table and left from there.

"Why did her mood changed suddenly now?" Arnav thought staring at her retreating figure.

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

Arnav's room

Khushi frowned holding Arnav's T-shirt in her hands and thinking whether she should wear his clothes or not, "Cold hearted Laad governor.. Couldn't you answer something sweet to me? Was it necessary to agree with me that you let me stay in your house to flirt with me? I know it's not true.. I trust you.. but I still don't know why your answer hurt me so much that moment. I thought you did so much for me because you-"

A knock on the door disturbed her self-conversation. "What?" she asked pouting, knowing very well who is at the other side of the door.

"Open the door Khushi!"

"I won't.. I'm very tired and I want to sleep. Go to your room now," she walked and stood near the door so he could her voice properly.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to do but you're not letting me inside my room," Arnav said sarcastically.

Khushi bit her tongue realizing her foolishness, then shook her head blurting out the first thing that came out of her fighting-mood mouth, "This is my room now.. not yours."

"Okay, this is our room. Happy? Now let me inside. I just want to take my night suit," Arnav said impatiently.

Khushi smiled lightly, she opened the door for him.

"Finally!" Arnav sighed as soon as he saw her, he noticed she was holding a T-shirt in her hands, "Good you're already took my night suit for me," he tried to grab the shirt from her hand, but Khushi shoved his hand away, clutching the shirt in her hand, frowning at him.

"No.. I took this T-shirt out for me," she said refusing to give it to him.

"My room is yours, my T-shirt is yours.. Make me yours too!" Arnav smirked.

Khushi gasped, her cheeks and nose turned red like a tomato. She didn't know what to say or how to react. She just stood there trying to bring words out of her mouth.

"Relax.. I'm just kidding!" Arnav chuckled seeing her reaction. He walked in the room and went towards his closet to take out his clothes to change.

Khushi stood there at the door, sighing to herself silently as she muttered, "I wish you were not."

When he was done taking his clothes, he walked towards her again standing at the door, "I will sleep in Akash's room ok. If you need anything, just call me. Good night."

He patted her head lovingly and stepped out of the room.

"Good night," Khushi whispered staring at his retreating figure.

"His words and actions simply don't match. Is he helping me only for the sake of humanity? Or because he has feelings for me? And why this is bothering me now?" she thought to herself, closing the door of the room and heading towards the bathroom.

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

Gupta house.

Shashi, Garima, Buaji and Payal were in the living room discussing how they will say everything Khushi did to her in laws.

"Don't worry Shashi ji. I will talk with Vihaan's family and explain everything to them. I will also tell them that we had no problem with this relation, the problem is that ungrateful girl," Garima said.

"Hayree NK.. I always warned you Shashi to not love and pamper that girl too much, she's not your real daughter.. she would destroy you one or other day. See today my words came out true. She left from here after ruining our reputation in society. She didn't even thought about her family once. Our Payalia would never do something like this with us. And this is the difference between Khushi and Payalia," Buaji taunted.

"Enough Jiji. Stop talking about Khushi now. I don't want to hear her name in this house," Shashi said sternly.

"And I've decided that once Vihaan regains his consciousness and if his parents agreed to this, then we will get Payal bitiya married to him," Shashi announced in no-nonsense tone.

Payal gasped, her eyes widened, "Bauji.. How can I get married to him?"

"Why not?" Shashi shrugged.

"He was Khushi's boyfriend Bauji. And I don't have any such feelings for him," Payal frowned.

"Hayree NK.. that's not a problem. You will fall in love with him after marriage," Buaji said confidently.

"Yes. He's a good man and financially stable in his life. We all treat him as our son. There's no problem if you get married to him Payal bitiya. It's a good marriage proposal. Your sister lost this gem in her life, at least you don't do this foolishness," Garima tried to convince her daughter.

Payal gulped. When the subject ended up being about her life, she couldn't help but think about whether Khushi was right about Vihaan. What if Vihaan is not the good, innocent man that everyone in your family thinks he is? If Khushi is right, then she will be ruining her life by getting married to someone like Vihaan.

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

Next day.

"Arnav please.. It's enough for today. I'm tired. I'm thirsty. I'm hungry. I'm finished!" Khushi whined panting as she stopped her workout and stood in her workout mat, trying to catch breath while staring at him working out beside her on his mat at the garden side.

"Come on Khushi. Don't stop. This is basic workout for beginners. We didn't even complete 15 minutes yet and you're complaining as if I'm making you workout in a gym," Arnav scolded her, encouraging her to continue the squats.

Khushi cried, shaking her head vigorously dramatically, "No.. I can't do this anymore. My body is aching. You can't even imagine the pain I'm feeling now. I need breakfast, not workout now."

Arnav glared at her, "Drama queen! Do 10 push-ups then you're allowed to go!"

"No," Khushi cried desperately, "Please no push-ups! Don't you feel pity of a poor soul like me? What kind of rakshas you're? You're seeing me suffer here and you still want me to do push-ups. If I do more push-ups in this state, then I will reach up there in the sky-"

"Shut up Khushi!" Arnav gritted his teeth angrily when he understood the meaning of her last sentence.

Khushi looked at him startled, "Sorry.. voh.. main.."

"You talk about death as if it's joke to you. I've already lost the person I most loved in this world. Now dare you link your name with death again even in if it's a joke," he shouted at her.

He gave her one intense angry look before walking to go inside the house.

Realizing that he was leaving, Khushi followed him hurriedly, "Arnav wait.. I'm sorry. I really am.. I won't joke about death again. I'm sorry.. Please don't wait. We didn't finish our workout yet. I'm willing to do push-ups now.. Yes.. I will do push-ups.. Arn-"

"Good for you. Do your workout and leave me alone," he said in no-nonsense tone, increasing his pace.

Khushi pouted, running behind him to match his pace, "Please don't do this with me."

When he didn't pay heed to her words, Khushi found no other way other than hugging him from behind, tightly and firmly to stop him from leaving her, "I'm sorry baba. Please don't be angry with your Sherni. I would never hurt you intentionally."

Arnav stopped in his track when she hugged suddenly, his lips curved into a smile when he realized by her words and actions that she started to like him. She doesn't see him as her enemy, as Prince ASR or as her boss anymore. He has managed to create a space for himself in her heart. Aman was right!

"Arnav?" she broke the hug and looked at him, hopeful that he will forgive her now.

Arnav turned to face her smirking, "Go and do ten push-ups then I will forgive you."

Khushi nodded her head vigorously, she turned to go back to her mat but before that, Arnav pulled her closer to him by her waist chuckling, "I'm just kidding," he pinched her nose with his free hand.

Khushi smiled faintly lost in his gaze.

Teri Nazar Ne Yeh Kya Kar Diya,
Mujhse Hi Mujhko Juda Kar Diya,
Main Rehta Hoon Tere Pas Kahin,
Ab Mujhko Mera Ehsas Nahi, Dil Kehta Hai Bas Mujhe,

What has your stare done?
It separated me from myself.
I am staying somewhere around you.
I do not realize myself anymore. My heart says it swears that it’s telling the truth.

Ke Thoda Thoda Pyar Hua Tumse,
Ke Thoda Ikrar Hua Tumse,
Ke Thoda Thoda Pyar Hua Tumse,
Ke Zyada Bhi Hoga Tumhi Se,
Ke Thoda Ikrar Hua Tumse,

For you, a little love has grown in me.
There’s been a little consent of desire for you.
For you, a little love has grown in me.
More love will grow for you.
A little love has grown in me for you.

"Go and freshen up now. Then come downstairs for breakfast," he said softly.

Khushi's eyes lit up, "Thank you.. Thank you. My stomach has been calling for food since so long!"

She went from running as fast as she could, making him chuckle lightly shaking his head in disbelief.

************************************
Sometime later.
AR.
Designing department.

Arnav was talking with Sheetal regarding the fashion show details while other members of the team were discussing about the designs among themselves. Khushi was included in the discussions this time as Sheetal now understood that it would be of no good to her if she messed with ASR's future wife.

Khushi stopped paying attention to what her team were discussing when her eyes accidentally fell on Arnav having a serious conversation with Sheetal. He looks damn handsome when he is serious and wearing a no-nonsense attitude. She couldn't stop herself from drooling shamelessly over him.

Arnav could feel a constant gaze in his direction, so he lifted his eyes to that direction and found Khushi ogling at him.

Ke Thoda Thoda Pyar Hua Tumse,
Ke Thoda Ikrar Hua Tumse,
Ke Thoda Thoda Pyar Hua Tumse,
Ke Zyada Bhi Hoga Tumhi Se,
Ke Thoda Ikrar Hua Tumse,

For you, a little love has grown in me.
There’s been a little consent of desire for you.
For you, a little love has grown in me.
More love will grow for you.
A little love has grown in me for you.

Khushi gasped in silent, she wanted to look away but realized it was too late as Arnav had caught her staring at him. She forced a smile on her face feeling embarrassed for being caught by him.

Arnav had an almost invisible light smile on his lips, he winked at her teasingly.

Khushi widened her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, she immediately looked away, trying her best to concentrate on her work with her team.

Sheetal noticed the exchange of looks and gestures between Arshi. She couldn't help but roll her eyes annoyed.

"ASR!" she called him purposely to gain his attention.

************************************
At lunch time

Khushi walked in Arnav's cabin with a tray in her hands, "Ready for lunch?"

"I'm not a baby that you've to bring my lunch here Khushi," Arnav kept his laptop aside as he looked up at her placing the tray on his table.

"But when Aman does it then you don't have a problem," Khushi taunted, taking her seat in the opposite chair, "Oh.. if it's like only your 3A can bring lunch for you, then I'll take this food and leave!" she ended with a tone of jealousy.

"No, it's okay.." he immediately stopped her.

"Have your food then," Khushi signaled him to start eating.

"Why are you doing this for me today?" Arnav asked.

Khushi remembered that she had asked him the same question yesterday and he escaped from answering her the truth. So today she's going to revenge him for hurting her yesterday.

"You're my boss. So it's my duty to make sure you eat and have your meds in time," Khushi replied.

"Oookay," Arnav smirked, "So ogling at your boss is also a part of your duty?"

Khushi faked a cough, then cleared her throat, not knowing what to answer him as she was caught off-guard.

"I wasn't ogling at you," she shrugged when she realized Arnav was still waiting for her answer with a smirk she once used to detest, but now.. she admits to love that sexy smirk of his.

"Oh please.. You were staring at me the same way you were staring at your jalebis that day.. ready to devour-"

"Arnav eat your food. It's getting cold," Khushi glared at him, highly embarrassed and cursing herself for even losing control and drool over him in their work space.

"It's okay.. I don't mind-"

Arnav couldn't complete his sentence as she pushed a morsel of roti and sabzi into his mouth to shut him up.

He smiled widely while chewing his food and Khushi waited with another morsel in her hand, "What the.. Is this how you take care of your boss?"

"No! This is how I take care of my Teddy Bear," Khushi smiled sarcastically.

Arnav's smirk grew, "Your Teddy Bear ahn!"

"Stop staring at me like that.. Zeher lagte ho!" Khushi whined, still a smile was intact on her face.

"Aur tum bohot cute lagti ho!" Arnav pinched her cheek instinctively.

Khushi blushed hard. She brought the morsel of food near his mouth and Arnav opened his mouth obediently letting her feed him.

"I will stay here till you finish your food and have your meds. I won't let you throw meds in the dustbin today," Khushi said.

"Oh so that's why she came here. She cares for me," he thought smiling slightly.

A knock on the door disturbed their moment. Khushi sat straight on her chair and Arnav looked ahead at the door frowning, "Come in!"

Aman opened the door and stare at both, he realized that he disturbed them, "Sorry.. I didn't want to disturb."

"It's okay Aman. Tell me what is it?" Arnav asked.

"I was actually searching for Khushi. Your sister, Payal is waiting downstairs. She wants to meet you," Aman said serious.

Arnav frowned deeply.

"Jiji?!" Khushi whispered astonished, wondering what Payal wants from her.

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

I'm late this time.. I know you guys have been waiting for long. Really sorry!! 🙈🙈

Hope you like this update!!

What does Payal want now? 😂😂

Who is liking our Sherni and her Teddy Bear love story? ❤