Sheesh Mahal. 

Sitting at the dining table, Arvind was all silent thinking about the loss yesterday night brought in his life. After what happened yesterday, not only did he lose his friendship and partnership with Rahul, but also the contacts he had with Rahul's business partners as well. He knew Rahul is a very cunning business man, he won't leave any chance to badmouth him to other business people and spoil his reputation in the market. He didn't even touch the food on his plate, his head aching just by imagining all the possible consequences yesterday night will bring in his business life.

"Good morning," Arnav walked in the dining room with a naughty smirk playing on his lips as he took a seat beside Akash, staring at his family members, who were eating silently, their faces were serious and fallen, but he was in a good mood today.

Arvind, who just came out of his thoughts, looked at him, narrowing his eyes.

"How come you're here?" Vidhya asked frowning, "You should be at the jail, right? Why did those officers let you go?"

"It was a misunderstanding. The police officer had a CCTV footage of a man walking out of the steel mill wearing similar clothes like mine, but it didn't show his face so they thought it was me and came here to arrest me. But later Aman proved that I wasn't there in the steel mill that night, so they let me go," Arnav explained.

"Stop lying!" Arvind shouted, "You were the one who called the police officers to arrest you. You already knew about the engagement surprise we were planning. You did this purposely so that Meera gives up of the idea of getting engaged to you and spoil my relationship with Rahul. Congratulations you got what you wanted! Rahul and Meera already left from here, he broke our partnership and my reputation is spoiled because of You Arnav. What a great son I have.. He does leave any chance to ruin my life!"

Arnav chuckled mockingly at the dramatic last line said by his father, "And what a great father I have.. He doesn't leave any chance to backstab me!"

"Bhai," Akash whispered trying to intervene to stop the argument between them.

Arnav raised his hand to Akash, gesturing him to keep quiet, as he looked ahead at his father, his expression changed to serious and furious one, "Do you remember what you told me before you friend came home? You came to my room and requested me to behave properly with your guests. And what I did? I did exactly what you wanted me to do, that girl Meera was irking me by following me everywhere I went but still never for once I behaved rudely with her. I behaved politely and never disrespected Mr. Khanna as well. And what you did? You backstabbed me. Without my consent, you went on to fix my engagement with your friend's daughter."

"You know what.. You will never change but I've changed. I'm not that small helpless kid that you forced your decision on me and separated me from my mother. Now if you try to take control over my life, I won't keep quiet.. I will teach you a lesson," Arnav said dangerously, "If I wanted then I could have talked with Mr. Khanna that I don't want to get married to his daughter and avoid to create a scene in front of everyone yesterday, but I wanted you to feel the pain of losing someone dear to you and be able to do nothing to save that relationship."

Arvind shut his eyes tightly momentarily clutching his fist under the table, controlling himself to not get up from his chair and attack Arnav who was busy rubbing salt on his wounds. 

Arnav got up from his chair, staring intently at his father as he spoke, "Always remember.. I kept my words.. It's You who betrayed me. And this is the result of your betrayal dear Dad!"

"Now I'll go and freshen up! It wasn't easy to spend one whole night in the lock up, but it was all worth it," Arnav smirked teasingly as he walked away from the dining room.

"Shameless and insolent boy.. He doesn't even realize what mistake he did," Vidhya shook her head in disbelief.

"Mom please!"

"Shut up Akash!" Arvind glared at his son, slamming his fist on the table angrily, "Your mother is saying right and you're still on your brother's side despite knowing what he did to me last night. You don't feel bad seeing your father humiliated in front of the guests, but you feel bad when your mother calls your brother shameless and insolent. And that he truly is!"

"You shouldn't have fixed his engagement with Meera without consulting him first also," Akash retorted.

"SHUT UP!" Arvind barked furiously, "Get out from here. Vidhya tell you son to disappear from here otherwise.."

"I'm leaving already," Akash said as he got up from his chair walking away from there as he reminded himself of an important work that had to be done today.

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

Sunshine Orphanage.

10am.

Arnav knocked the door of Anjali's room and she opened it in few seconds, staring at him with moist eyes, she sighed in relief, throwing herself in his arms, "Bhaiya I was so scared. I saw in the news that police officers arrested you. Do you know I was dying in guilt that because of me police arrested you? I didn't even sleep last night worried for you. What had happened? Are you okay bhaiya?"

She broke the hug, cupping his face lovingly, checking if the officers beat him up or not. She kissed his forehead, his eyes, cheeks and hugged him tightly again, "If anything happened to you because of me, then I would have never forgive myself in life bhaiya. It's because of me, those officers kept you in the lock up, hain na? I'm so bad.. because of me.. you.. spend last night in jail."

Arnav's eyes moistened when Anjali kissed him with so much love and care, he felt as if it was his own mother caring for him, but he quickly composed himself when because of his silence, she started to blame herself, he patted her back gently, "Nothing happened because of you Anjali. The police officers didn't arrest me, I got myself arrested."

Anjali broke the hug staring at him confused, "What? But why?"

"It's a long story.. I will tell you later. But be assured that everything is under control and no one can harm your brother," Arnav said, "Won't you let me in?"

Anjali hit her forehead, taking a step backwards to give him space as he walked inside her room, "Why am I not seeing your clothes and jewelries spread all over the bed like those girls excited for their marriage? Today is your Mehndi function, did you forgot that?"

"Do you really think I was interested in my mehndi function when I got to know that my brother spent the night in the lock up?" Anjali asked in disbelief.

"I know.. that's why I came here early so that you be assured that I'm fit and fine. What happened had nothing to do with you, it was another problem in my family. I didn't even inform you because I didn't want to disturb you when I knew that the next day is your mehndi ceremony. There's no need to be worried about me Anju! Trust me, I know what I'm doing," Arnav said.

Anjali blinked her eyes, "I know. You've very intelligent bhaiya."

"Don't praise me too much otherwise Shyam will get jealous!" Arnav teased her making her smile.

"Forget everything else.. now tell me what will you wear today? Do you want my help?" Arnav asked.

"I will wear the outfit you sent for me," Anjali said.

"And what did I sent for you?" Arnav asked.

"It.. hmm.. saree!?" Anjali bit her lips trying to guess.

"You didn't even touch the outfits I sent for your marriage functions," Arnav sighed.

"I'm sorry bhaiya.. but I was very disturbed.. I couldn't concentrate on anything.. I was very scared..what if Shyam, his family and everyone else find out that.."

"Shh shh it's okay," Arnav approached her, pulling her for a warm hug, "I'm here with you Anjali. You don't need to be scared of anything or anyone. Just enjoy your marriage functions and don't think about anything else. I will handle everything else."

Anjali nodded her head as she looked up at him, "I wish Shyam turns out to be a man like you after our marriage bhaiya. I'm scared to even imagine if he changes after marriage.. I'm very scared now bhaiya to get married to him."

"He's a good man. I wouldn't have let you marry him if I felt that he isn't good enough for you. I just think you should tell him everything that happened.."

"No bhaiya.. I don't want to say anything to him.. I'm not ready.. Please let this matter stay in between us only.. I won't be able to tell Shyam-"

"Okay..okay, calm down.. stop crying. You will tell him whenever you're ready for it. I didn't come here to make you cry.. don't cry please," he whispered as he saw her becoming vulnerable and shivering just at the mention of the topic.

"Let me help you choose the outfit for your mehndi function quickly because I've to leave for office," Arnav said changing the topic, trying to divert her attention.

"Won't you stay with me?" Anjali pouted sadly.

"Only girls would be there with you. What will I do there? I will attend other functions," Arnav said as he watched her taking her outfits from the closet.

"Okay," she placed the clothes on her bed, "'Help me choose one. Bhaiya you sent so many clothes for me. It wasn't needed!"

"It's okay.. You can wear it after marriage as well," Arnav said as he eyed the clothes on the bed, then picked a bottle green embroidered anarkali suit with net dupatta for her, "This one.. You should wear this one!"

"It's so beautiful," Anjali said as she took it from Arnav's hands and smiled at him.

Arnav stare at her and felt bad realizing that she was forcing a smile on her face to show him that she is fine, when she is not.

He hated Vihaan for destroying his sister's happiness. Today she would have been so happy, dancing, laughing and enjoying her marriage functions but because of him, she's not even interested in her own marriage.

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

Sometime later.. 

Gupta house.

Akash saw a girl walking out of the house, he was looking for. He hurriedly approached her making her look at him startled, "Excuse me.."

"Yes?"

"I was actually looking for Vihaan's parents. I went to their house, but the neighbors told me they're staying at their son's fiancee home. Hmm.. I just saw walking out of that house.. Are you Vihaan's fiancee? Is this your home?" Akash asked.

"Who are you? Why are you looking for his parents?" Payal asked frowning.

"I'm Akash.. Akash Singh Raizada!"

Payal gasped, she took a step back frightened making Akash confused, "Why did you came here? We didn't do anything this time.. trust me.. We don't even know that the police would arrest Prince Arnav yesterday.. we had no idea.. We were shocked too after hearing the news. Khushi didn't do anything this time. Please spare us.. We didn't do anything. Please don't harm our family."

"Hey.. please calm down. I don't want to harm your family. Trust me, I'm not like my father. Can we talk calmly in the near restaurant? I will explain to you everything," Akash spoke softly, trying his best not to scare the poor girl.

Payal looked at him suspiciously.

Akash smiled softly, "See I'm taking you to that  restaurant so that you be assured that I don't want to harm you and if even I try then there are many people over there who will witness everything with their own eyes!"

"Okay," Payal whispered still not sure whether to trust this man or not. But whatever he spoke, made sense to her.

"Great.. Come with me," he said walking ahead as he crossed the road to reach the open air restaurant.

"Jiji wait.. Where are you going?" Khushi rushed to her sister who was about to cross the road but stopped abruptly hearing her sister's voice.

"Just come with me," Payal chose not to reply, instead held her sister's hand and dragged Khushi with her to the restaurant.

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

At the restaurant..

After introducing themselves and sharing what happened to Vihaan and all the information they had, Akash drank his juice thinking deeply about the situation. He couldn't believe his brother just beat up the employee of their father's iron and steel manufacturing company mercilessly like Khushi and Payal described.

"I can't believe this," he whispered putting the glass of juice back to the table.

"Of course you will not believe in us. He's your brother after all. You will never see him as the culprit. But just think, why didn't he told you everything that happened if he wasn't the culprit?" Khushi asked seriously.

"I trust my brother Khushi. He's not a bad man. It's not like everyday he beats up an employee like that.."

"Great.. First your brother beats up my fiance, then your father came to silence us and force me to withdraw my complaint and now you came to clean the image of your brother. This only proves that since You belong to a rich and powerful family.. You guys can do anything you want. No one will punish you.. It's us, helpless and powerless people that have to pay for it all our lives," Khushi said, her tone reflecting the pain in her heart, "I think we're done with this conversation, right?"

Meanwhile Arnav ordered the driver to stop the car as he saw his brother sitting at the restaurant chatting with Khushi and Payal. He walked out of the car with his bodyguards following him behind, and headed towards the restaurant.

Back at the restaurant, Akash stopped Khushi who was getting up to leave angrily, "Wait Khushi."

"What?" Khushi asked in no-nonsense tone, sitting back on her chair.

"Okay.. I agree my brother did wrong with your fiance. But none of us know the reason why he beat up Vihaan so mercilessly like that. What if the reason kind of justify what he did to Vihaan?" Akash asked leaving Khushi and Payal dumbfounded for a moment.

"Hi," Arnav took a seat beside Akash with his bodyguards standing around the table, surprising Payal and Khushi at the table who didn't expect him to be there.

"Bhai?" Akash looked at him startled, "You.. here?"

"I was just passing by when I saw you here," Arnav replied glancing at Khushi with a smile growing on his lips which irked her to the core, "I didn't know this brave and innocent girl is your friend Akash."

"No.. It's just.." Akash gulped, stammering as he didn't know how he would explain it to Arnav, when his brother had strictly ordered him to stay out of the matter.

"Let's leave from here Jiji," Khushi said frowning deeply, irritated with Arnav's presence at the restaurant. Payal nodded her head, they got up ready to leave when Arnav's words stopped Khushi but she didn't turn back to face him. 

"Come on Khushi .. At least be happy now. I spent an entire night in prison. My back and legs are hurting so much that it makes up for your fiance's fractured arm and legs and I slept on the floor without AC, that must pay for Vihaan's coma state, right?" Arnav smirked.

Khushi closed his eyes tightly momentarily, clenched her teeth in anger as she turned to face Arnav in a blatant way, she picked up the glass of water from the table and threw it in his face.

As the water splashed on his face, Arnav looked away shutting his eyes for a minute, before looking back at her with wide eyes and a surprising smile adorning his lips, "Uff.. Sherni (Lioness)."

Payal and Akash gasped in shock, staring at Khushi then Arnav without blinking their eyes.

The bodyguards who were also shocked for a moment, composed themselves and aimed their guns to Khushi, making Payal cry in horror while Khushi stood numb with no expression written on her face.

Arnav glared at his bodyguards as he ordered in a stern tone, "Put the guns down NOW!"

The bodyguards obeyed his words as they lowered their eyes, apologizing to their Boss.

Everyone who stopped to stare at them, hurriedly started doing their activities when Arnav coldly glanced at them. Khushi dragged Payal with her out of the restaurant.

"Bhai! Is this you? I'm super shocked.. A girl just threw water on your face and you kept smiling at her," Akash spoke in disbelief once Khushi and Payal left from there.

"Leave all this.. Tell me why were you talking with them?" Arnav glanced at him seriously, taking a tissue paper on the table to wipe his face.

"I wanted to know the truth you're hiding from me. I'm just tired of not knowing anything that is happening in our house. That's why I asked the HR department to give me the address of Vihaan's house. But his parents weren't home, so I end up meeting Payal and Khushi. Unfortunately even they don't know anything that happened between you and Vihaan," Akash sighed defeatedly.

"I hope you're now satisfied of playing a detective for the day. Now go back to your work and forget about this matter," Arnav said sternly.

Akash pouted as he called the waiter to pay the bill, then leave from there.

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

One week later.

XYZ college. 

Khushi walked out of the classroom, lost in her thoughts when Lavanya patted her shoulder curiously, "What happened Khushi? What did the professor wanted to talk with you in private?"

"Arnav Singh Raizada offered the best student the opportunity to design the outfits for his upcoming fashion show," Khushi said expressionless.

"Best student.. means You!" Lavanya widened her eyes as realization dawned upon her.

Khushi nodded her head.

"What does this man wants from you? Why doesn't he let you live in peace?" Lavanya frowned, "What did you say to the professor? You denied the offer, right?"

Khushi nodded sideways, "No.. I had to accept the offer. Professor was insisting that I should accept it as it will be best for me, he wouldn't let me out of the classroom if I didn't accept it."

Lavanya felt like walking inside the classroom and give a hard punch in professor's face.