Starry0502 Many more happy returns of the day, again! I wish your wishes were fulfilled. May you have a long and healthier life. <3 I hope you have enjoyed your day with hugs, wishes, and cake. ;-)

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Arnav Singh Raizada was left abandoned with his sister on the road just after his parent's funeral, drenched in the dark of the night, nobody was there to wipe their tears away. Only when their mother's mother had come to take them home, wiping their tears, they got a roof over their head. Betrayal hit him so hard, empathy slowly left his soul. No hues of emotions were ever seen except for his Di. A coconut on the surface he was. So soft from the inside and so hard from out, no one ever really saw him for who he is, from inside.

Until he joined Harvard for his Bachelor's and met the girl he began to dislike. 

Their first meeting was a dramatic one. As one would show in their films. He was sitting in the corner at their fresher's party. Not mingling with anyone when he saw a woman on the chair, with a drink in her hand, cheering loudly with her friends who were, unlike the girl, standing on the floor. He didn't give her much importance. Her back was facing him. She was in a knee-length red frock. Only until he saw her stumbling on the chair. The rest of the girls were looking at a few people dance and didn't notice her stumbling. He wouldn't have cared but there was a glass on the floor. At a fresher's party, high with wine, some brat would have thrown the glass on the floor carelessly. If she'd fall down, she'd hit her back and crush the glass. It'd only hurt her. He wasn't as heartless as everyone thought he was. He ran to her in time and she fell, in his arms.

Isn't that a typical Bollywood scene everyone would be in awe of? He was lost in her eyes, his chocolate orbs when met her hazels, with little flickerings of brown and grey, innocence dripping from the depths shot the threads of his heart. He didn't realize how long he stood with her in his arms. He came back to his senses only when she struggled in his arms. Arnav snorted, gritting his teeth for losing himself in the moment, putting her down, quite rashly, his rough arms disliking this soft skin full of warmth.

"Hey, thank yo-" she was cut off by him, who walked away mumbling lowly, "Watch and jump. No one would save you the next time."

She wasn't given a chance to show her gratitude. 

The rest of the night, she searched for several ways to thank him. Yet got none. Arnav went back toh his dorm, either to study or sleep. Only he knows. 

The next day in the college turned out to be a satisfying day for her, for, she met the same man who saved her in her own class.

She immediately introduced herself, grinning after being done with the dozens of thanks. He was already frustrated for losing out his emotions with her and she, being a friend to him already, had only maddened him more. Adding to it, her bak-bak. It only irritated him for he liked silence. He started hating her loud mouth which had no break or manners.

He ignored her. Staring straight into the presentation board. 

Days passed. Months passed. They stumbled again and fell on each other every now and then. It had become a habit. Arnav only grew to dislike her more.

He never wanted to acknowledge his heart having even the slightest attraction for her.

Yet couldn't help falling in love with the same woman a few months later. The rest was history. Khushi, just like her name, was a Khushi in his life. It took him a lot of courage to propose to her and her a lot of time to accept his proposal.

They were always happy with their little fights, making up after every little light, and loving each other a little more, all over again.

Arnav's opinion about Khushi had changed as he spent months with her before his proposal. Being in the same class and the same section with partners in the project in the second year would never help you to stay away even if you want to try hard. 

Arnav tried hard. 

He really tried hard — to the point of him physically sweating under the AC. 

Yet was succumbed to her charms, her innocence, and her bubbly nature. It wasn't just her beauty that attracted him, it was something in her that kept him on her toes — her heart, her soul, her heartfelt thank you, her soulful sorry, her heartfelt words, her soulful laugh, her heartfelt warmth, her soulful cheers, everything she did or did not do had him lying flat on the floor, dreaming about her. 

He had only known more about her and his love only grew more. Reason? He didn't have just one!

Was he supposed to have or even count? He would never be able to, he guessed. 

She was, though a loudmouth, had a girl hiding inside her who is equally understanding and mature. With her beside him, he never had to act of being comfortable. Such was his comfort with her. No act. Just so natural that he'd sometimes wonder if he ever will find such an amazing human who not only understands him but gives him the space he needed whenever he wants, and that too — without asking. As if she could read all of him, in and out.

Days passed, and he began loving her loudmouth. The one who wouldn't stop talking at all, he began admiring her. When he first met her, it was the same loudmouth he had hated. Although her hazel eyes took him to dive into deep the ocean, he resisted. He repelled hard. Shutting her up every time she'd be the same bubbly girl, talking about everything and anything with her friends, including him. None of them seemed affected and moreover, enjoyed her company. Why couldn't he? Was it because he was introverted by nature or was it because in the heart of his heart, he knew, the woman grinning so beautifully is attracting him as if he was a moth and she was the fire? Such thoughts made him shut her up more. Thus, when he waited eagerly for her to open her mouth and talk to him to dozens, he was surprised. When did he even start wanting to hear her? Didn't he call her stupid and an idiot to telecast everything happening in her life to anyone? Only a fool would do that. Isn't it? Yet, he fell in love with the same fool, craving to hear anything from her.

Pages turned, and he began loving her bubbly nature. The same bubbly nature in her he never liked and thought too much of a shine in his dark life. He waited no time to shun the light away. For, he liked dwelling in darkness. That was his safety. That was his cocoon. So when he waited for the sunshine, all excited to meet her, he was enthralled. Surprisingly enthralled.

He liked her. He couldn't take his gaze away from her. The woman in a cute cream frock that went up to her knees and long dangling waist-length hair with a cute smile on her face as she talked away to her other friend, he couldn't help sighing, his gaze was a daze that made him feel dizzy. He didn't realize he started loving her. He slapped his heart for thousand times to do what it said it would never do. Fall in love — with a crazy woman called Khushi Kumari Gupta.

His heart would thud in anticipation when she'd be near him. He could sense her. All of that had fascinated him. The traits of love and the emotions he started to feel just didn't stop there. He had known he could turn green too. When she laughed with them and the boys would pull her chubby red cheeks for fun, he'd fume. He'd fume so bad that he could destroy everything.

It was green everywhere for him. The Green Monster inside him dominates him over everything. He'd only cool down when she'd back off when they tried to pull her cheeks again and instead, she'd walk to him, talk to him, and in between, pull his cheeks. If it was anyone else, he'd have glared at them in such a way that they'd wish to die. But it was Khushi. The girl he began loving. She pulled his cheeks, he liked it. She talked to him, and he loved it and wanted more. She'd touch him, he'd melt in her charms. She'd smile at him, his heart would race in a marathon.

All of the changes surprised him and surprisingly bewitched him.

He only grew in love when once she was stuck in a store room on their campus, with no lights, and he had come as his savior. That was his first. In fact, her first, to ever reveal the scared child in her. That was the first ever time he had seen tears in her eyes. A happy lucky-go girl was so scared of the dark that it could give her a panic attack.

He wondered about the reason and not long after he had known that she was the adopted daughter of her father, Sashi Gupta, who was also a famous businessman in the US.

Khushi Sharma nee Gupta was the princess of Garima's brother and his wife. The apple of their eyes, the only princess. But that was until she lost her parents in an accident one night. Her parents had saved her while their car brakes had failed and she was thrown on the side of the road on a lonely night accompanied by the darkest rains.

Her parents succumbed to their fate that night. She had never ever seen her parents, talking with her, laughing with her, and pampering her. Eight years kid in her had hoped they'd come back. That it'd be a nightmare. That never turned true. She was adopted by her Bua, Garima Gupta, who became her mother. For, she took the crying kid in her arms and consoled her when she already had a child with her husband, Payal.

Shashi Gupta was too loving to accept another daughter after Payal, their only child. Thus, she became the youngest princess of Garima and Sashi, a little sister to Payal who tried their best in giving her everything and accepting her as her own.

Yet they couldn't get her out of the fears she had. Like driving in a speedy car, sleeping alone, or in the darkness. When he knew her past, his heart, felt proud of the strength she had always shown and the way she had chosen to live her life. All smiling and spreading happiness. Yet he couldn't help but feel hurt for the way she hid all of the pain and fears inside her heart. He wanted to dwell in them and give that comfort as well — not to give in back in gratitude for the solace she gave him but because he really wanted to share things with her, from her. 

Everyone has different coping mechanisms. So does Khushi and Arnav. While Arnav chose to dwell in darkness, Khushi chose to dwell in the sunshine.

So opposite to each other yet couldn't resist falling for each other.

Khushi hadn't got a grand proposal with roses, scented candles, and a ring.

Silence filled the library, Arnav sat on the opposite chair to Khushi who was facing the wall, reading one of the books. Khushi was doing the same, both were engrossed in the world of acquiring knowledge.

Arnav was trying to propose to her for the past few days. They were in their final year and might go away soon. He needed to tell her about his feelings.

Gathering up the courage, out of all places in the world, Arnav had decided to propose to her in the Library.

Maybe because he thought she wouldn't slap or scream at him if it was a Library since Library should always remain silent. 

Khushi wouldn't dare to break the silence, especially in Library. That much he knew. He kicked himself for being a coward. 

"Khushi," he leaned down on the table, whispering slightly, gaining confidence from the book he clutched onto for his dear life. As if it would help him in hiding if Khushi decided to break the norm in the Library. 

Khushi frowned at him, raising her eyebrows up, showing her thumb, "What?" She mouthed.

Arnav shuffled in his seat, took a deep breath, and whispered, "I love you!"

His heart thudded in fear looking at her blank face. His eyes never left hers. She lowered her eyes and started reading the book again. As if she was never proposed to. Arnav too couldn't ask anything as the chair beside them was filled with people who just came in from nowhere.

Why can't they come a little later? He snorted.

It was only after a few hours, they were out of the Library and Khushi, out of nowhere, hung on his arms, whispering an 'I love you too' back.

Well, that was the exact time she took in accepting his proposal. A few hours for someone and an eternity for Arnav who neither was able to concentrate on his book nor on Khushi.

Again blame their classmates beside her and him who were asking doubt after doubt. Oh yes, if there was anything in common between them, it is studies. Both are excellent at it.

Now after 5 years, at the age of 26, both Arnav and Khushi stood admiring their fashion show in Lucknow. Khushi knew Arnav's past and sat beside him, supporting him. Sitting in Seesh Mahal might have been bringing a lot of memories to his heart. The same house he had bought from his Bastard Uncle who mercilessly kicked them out. She'd have kicked that man when he refused to sell Sheesh Mahal. Only his hand clasping hers, firmly, had stopped her. He had sensed her intentions and didn't want to involve his Khushi with that man, in any way. 

Khushi glared at the man as they made the deal, hard and rough, sending the man to hell. Gave him a slap despite Arnav's hold on her other hand. Her other hand was free, who would lose the chance? Especially when she know the mannerless man in front of her was one of the reasons for her boyfriend suffering from nightmares. 

He was dwelling in those nightmares, again.

She could whisper in her heart as she saw him lean on the chair, his Adam's apple bobbing up, his hand tightly clasping her, seeking support. 

Models were walking on the ramp representing their company's brand. 

AK was their first baby. They partnered for starting a company as soon as they completed their masters, luckily in Harvard as well. When Arnav financially couldn't afford to invest in their company, she stepped in, supporting him with whatever money she had. That was the start of their company, AK fashions.

Khushi was caressing his thumb and gazing at their clasped hands, lost in thoughts when they started hearing murmurs.

Arnav opened his eyes and Khushi too looked up in wonder — only to see a woman in green walking on the ramp, clumsily.

Arnav stood up fuming and Khushi accompanied him, clutching his shoulders, trying to calm him down. She know his anger and when someone had destroyed their first-ever show in Lucknow, he had the right to be angry. 

But Khushi didn't want to make a scene.

Arnav calmed down when he sensed Khushi caress his arms, sighing, both of them watched the girl walk and a few seconds later, she was tumbling down.

Arnav didn't react, with Khushi beside him. Watching the girl falling down.

Straight into the arms of Aman Mathur — His Manager.

Aman ushered the woman into a room as soon as he saw his boss — Khushi gesturing to him.

"Arnav, make sure Rajesh controls the Media. I'll go to that girl and talk." She patted his shoulder.

Arnav shook his head in denial. He needed to confront that girl too, "I'll come too."

"No need, baby. You need to cool down and think before talking to her or else who knew what would you do!" she said, denying him. Arnav was just patient with her. Just her. Not with anyone else. 

They even deserve it. After being in a relationship for 7 years, they know each other very well, in and out. By heart and soul, they are one. Only one. Two bodies, one soul. She accepted his flaws and he accepted hers. Both of them loved each other's miseries too, taking them, blending them into their life, and loving each other with all of the baggage.

He had no say as Khushi walked away kissing him on the cheeks. He gestured for Rajesh to come, "No clip of this should come out open in Media. Whoever the girl is, her reputation shouldn't tamper with anything. Are you getting me?"

"I got it, ASR," Rajesh nodded his head and walked away to undo the damage.

In one of the rooms, the girl was locked up and she sat in the corner looking at the huge room in wonder.

Khushi barged in just then startling the girl.

"Who are you?" Khushi inquired even before the girl could open her mouth.

"I'm Lavanya. Lavanya Kashyap." She visibly trembled under Khushi's dark gaze.

"Why are you here?" she narrowed her gaze at the girl who introduced herself as Lavanya.

"I am here for my brother-in-law who canceled his wedding with my sister. Please let me go and meet him. I've told that man backstage that I'm not the model but he pushed me here. Please let me go and meet him or else my sister will not get married." Lavanya folded her hands pleading with Khushi.

Khushi didn't know if she was saying the truth or not but she had surely one point to think about. Why did the man backstage push her on the ramp? Doesn't he know who are the models and who is not? He isn't their backstage coordinator for nothing. 

Or was he bribed? With AK, it never happened before. She even doubted Lavanya but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. So, calling one of the bodygaurds, she murmured, "I want that employee in front of me at any cost."

A few minutes passed in silence when the bodyguard came, "Ma'am. That man isn't present there backstage. I've searched for him everywhere. He's nowhere to be seen."

"Call him, his friends, or anyone. Check the CCTV Cameras backstage. Send some of the men to search out of Sheesh Mahal." She didn't pause while giving out the orders.

Lavanya who stood all the while in silence, pleased again, "Let me go, please."

When the bodyguard was just about to go, she stopped him, "Take her to wherever she wants. If whatever she's saying is true, let her go." she said it all the while glaring at Lavanya and looking at the bodyguard, after a pause,  murmured, "If not, you know what to do!"

The man nodded and dragged Lavanya out, who silently followed him. Khushi was looking at Lavanya's feet devoid of any Mehendi or Payal. If she was attending a pure Indian wedding and that too her sister's, why are her feet bare with no Anklets or Mehendi?

She doubted and walked out only to bump into her boyfriend.

"Aah. Khushi. Dekh ke nahi chal sakti," he hissed in pain having her shoulder blade hit his chest.

(Aah. Khushi. Can't you see and walk?)

"Toh tum bhi toh dekh kar chal sakte the," she retorted, caressing his chest. She was already with that girl's unusual appearance and hoped she'd turn honest.

(Even you could see and walk,)

"Khushi, you-" Arnav fumed and they were about to start their little fight when Anjali who was resting in the room, being 1 month pregnant, broke in between.

"Oh no. Not again. What is this? You're starting to fight again in the middle of the corridor?" Anjali snorted only to get the same response from the couple.

"Di," they rolled their eyes in unison.

Anjali took a deep breath, not extending the conversation. Who knows if they fight again? Better divert their attention, with a wicked smile on her face, Anjali murmured, "Anyway, did you think how you're going to make Nani agree to your live-in relationship?"

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other blankly. They didn't think about it yet.

Since Arnav doesn't believe in marriage, Khushi and Arnav had come to a conclusion to benefit their love life — to live together. A live-in relationship. Until Arnav gets comfortable with the idea of the marriage.

When he said Khushi understands and gives him space, that was this. Khushi understood his fear of marriage and while they are working together to drive his fear, not knowing exactly when he'd come out of the phobia, they had decided something against the social norms. Arnav didn't want to get married to her for the sake of it or for the sake of her.

He wanted to enter into it only when he is sure of it that it was for the sake of them, not him or her alone. It's a relationship. Not a game that they would get married for the sake of their partners. What if after marriage, your partner doesn't get involved in it as much as you do? For one of them, it could just be for the sake of either her or him. Not them! Only one would be involved wholeheartedly. Not two. 

No. He didn't want that. Khushi understood that and had no issues living together. What matters to her is, being together, with or without a matrimonial bond. She's also sure that day isn't far when she'd have Arnav completely out of his phobia.

She could only empathize with him in that sense because she had seen happy marriages around her while Arnav wasn't lucky enough to witness the same. Daily arguments, physical abuse, and emotional abuse to the point where his so-called father cheated on his mother and his mother killed herself in depression. All had to happen, unfortunately, on his sister's wedding day. 

An unhealthy relationship between one's parents not only destroys them but also their children. Khushi, although, didn't ever see her parents or her sister and brother-in-law fighting, can understand his condition and support him with whatever she can.

Isn't it all about love? Trust, understanding, respect, and a few dramas— only made their love stronger and more exciting. Arnav, though, had a love for speedy cars and darkness in his room, never ever tried to accelerate his car when Khushi is beside him or ever forgot to turn on a bed light whenever they slept in each other arm's, seeking solace.

They, although had surpassed the pars to be with each other, they have one more hurdle.

Devyani Singh Raizada.

Khushi hoped she'd agree. Or else she's ready to fight along with him. She wasn't fighting alone. Never alone. Arnav knew that and just hoped there wouldn't be a situation where his girlfriend would fight with his Nani. For, Khushi doesn't like people being narrow-minded. Not that he'd have a problem if she fights with his Nani and he wouldn't support her. Khushi would give a great lesson to his Nani as she always does. He's aware of that. The problem was that he is hoping they should end up together the easy way than the hard way.

Yet couldn't disagree that the hard way might give him more fruits than the easy way. Whatever way it was, he will just stand beside his Khushi always.

No matter what anyone says. It was good Anjali easily accepted them or he'd have fought with her too.

He slid his hand through the flimsy cloth of her coat, hugging her close.

The day had gone with Arshi going to their room and Anjali resting in hers.

After a few hours, when they were about to sleep after their passionate love-making session, they heard Khushi's phone ring.

She sighed looking at the bodyguard's phone number and what she heard made her close her eyes, stroking her head. Her expression screamed she was controlling her anger. 

Arnav took her in his arms, his head on her chest, "What happened?"

"That girl, Lavanya Kashyap, and our backstage Manager had deceived us. That girl was clearly lying and that man pushed her deliberately. They both are caught. One has to go to the police statio-" he didn't let her complete.

"Aman will do that. Why late? Where are those cheaters anyway?" he took the phone from the bedside table and called Aman who was, after winding up the fashion show, just getting into bed beside his wife.

"They're taken away by the police already. So, don't worry-" she took away the cell in his hand, her anger replaced with amusement, and continued, "-it's already past 2. One of the men already called the police. They just need a formal signature from us. Any of us can go and do that in the morning. Let's sleep and let that poor guy Aman sleep as well."

She giggled, pushing him on the bed, "Hey, he's not poor." He complained, being jealous of hearing his Khushi supporting that Aman who always manages to irritate him, for, unfortunately, he was his own Manager's Saale Sahaba. Aman had managed to get a place in Anjali's heart, taking her away to his home after their marriage. And she's even pregnant now. Accompanying her husband on his work tour. 

Khushi slapped him on the chest, giggling more, and slept quite comfortably on his chest. Arnav too smiled a little later, caressing Khushi's long hair. They are drifted into a night of sleep.

Not worrying about what tomorrow would bring them. For, tomorrow might be a challenge for them in Shantivan. The cat-Mouse fight in the Mansion might or might not be positive.

Yet that isn't stopping Arnav and Khushi from loving each other. Either way, they would only end up together.

Either way, tomorrow would only bring happiness to them. Even if takes them crossing another few hurdles, with others or with themselves, they would. Hand in Hand — always! 

From her stumbling in his rough hands to falling asleep in his arms engulfed with love and warmth. They came a long way!

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? 

What should they name this love?

The End

Let me know what you think about the update. 

Starry0502 Hope you liked this. I remember once you said that you wanted to read their first meet in Sheesh Mahal in a different way. Although it wasn't exactly a first meet, I did change the Sheesh Mahal scene. Hope it is better. 

Forgive me if it isn't! ;-) Next time!

Regards,

Poly

05/02/2023