Dedicated to @noordina! You must be wondering why I'm dedicating this update for you dear. It's because you're one of those readers who supported me from the very start of my writting journey. I always read your comment on each update and if there's not your comment in the comment box, them something feels empty!! Hope you like it.

Sheesh Mahal

Arnav sighed watching Khushi training how to walk on ramp, "If this is your state with sandals, then I wonder what's going to be your state with high heels?"

"It's you who asked me to do this.. I told you before that I don't know all these.." Khushi glared at him.

"You're not listening to me Khushi.." he said.

"You're not teaching me properly.." she pouted putting hands on her hips.

"So what do you expect me to do? Walk like a lady to show an example.." Arnav gave her a sarcastic look.

"It would be better.." she said biting her lips to control her laugh imagining him walk like a lady.

"What the.. unbelievable!" Arnav shook his head, taking his laptop he opened some video of models walking on ramp and showed to Khushi, "Do you see how gracefully they are walking? You have to do like them.. and since you will be dressed as a bride, you can smile a little and your body language should reflect a bride's behavior.."

"Okay.." Khushi nodded memorizing each steps and poses by the models.

"Let's take a break now.. you must be tired na.." Arnav said caressing her cheek.

Khushi moved back and looked at him uncomfortable, "Arnav ji you know that I haven't forgiven you yet and doing all this kissing me, hugging me or caring for me is making me feel uncomfortable after those insults I bear from you.. It's so easy to judge someone wrong and when you know that it's not their fault, you behave lovingly and sweetly like this as if nothing happened and you think I will forget everything when you behave with me like this.. It's not easy for me to forget all that you did with me, your harsh words still ring in my ear, the images of you throwing me out of Sheesh Mahal and then handing over to me our divorce papers are still fresh in my mind.. I just can't be the same Khushi with you again.. it hurts for me.."

"It's not easy for me as well Khushi.. I know what I did with you is unforgivable but just try to think of my point of view.. I'm not saying that I'm right and you should forgive me.. but I always grew up loving my family more than anyone in this world, after my father betrayed my mother, I only had them who took care of me when we came to Delhi, I used to leave for work with the thought that they're helping me and Di, they are giving me and Di something to eat even though they struggled also to get their own meals, they never treated us like slaves for being orphan, they gave us place to stay and room to sleep and never differentiated me or Di from Akash.. and I should work hard and give them the best life for all they have done to me.. I was blind in their love and caring behavior that I failed to see the truth.. I failed Khushi.. but tell me would you believe in a stranger who became your wife in almost an unexpected way over your family who you blindly trusted and loved since childhood? Would you ever doubt in them? Would you ever feel that they could hide their true face from you? Would you ever believe that they are betraying you?" he asked.

"But I know that whatever the situation was, I shouldn't have pointed my finger at your character and humiliate you in front of your family, especially your father.." he said genuinely.

"But you said you trusted me.." a lone tear escaped her eyes.

"But I loved and trusted them way more than you.." he said staring at her face with sad look. He didn't wish to break her heart, but that was the truth.

"I never let any outsider come near my me.. I never trusted anyone other than my family.. I was always close to the world outside but when you came in my life, I found myself opening up to you.. I let you know everything about me, my life.. but still I was reluctant, insecure, scared that like others you would also break my trust.. And when that incident happened, I was so broken, angry with myself for giving you that space in my life, angry with myself for letting a stranger become my wife, angry with myself for letting you be important to me, angry with myself for fighting with my family for you.. I didn't even stop to think properly and end up doing the biggest mistake of my life.." he said gulping his tears.

"I know it's weird that I'm behaving lovingly with you now when in past I was same ASR.. but it's not only because I want you to forgive me Khushi. I already said to you that you can forgive me when you want to.. It's just because now I feel what you have suffered because of me, I wish to bring back that time and correct my mistakes but that's not possible, so I'm doing it now.. you're really a great woman who deserves to be loved only.. that's what I'm trying to do.. I'm trying to lessen your pain, trying to be close to you, love you, care for you, be your friend.. after all that happened we both are very alone, I want to be with you so that you feel there's someone for you still.." he said.

"It's not easy for me Khushi.. where I'm, I just want to shut myself in my room and cry out aloud.. I'm smiling but this is not a real one.. I still can't get over what happened with me.. I'm still broken but everytime I break.. I know you will break ten times more.. that's why here's your ASR.. standing everyday trying to bring a smile in your face!" his eyes blinked trying to hide the tears threatening to fall.

Khushi ran her fingers through his hair from backside, and placed her lip on his. Arnav was numb to react at first, because he didn't expect this from Khushi, but soon he also reciprocated her kiss. After they broke the kiss, Khushi rested her forehead against his, "I will wait for you to bring me back home.. because one I loved you with all my heart and you were insecure about our relationship.. Now I'm scared, insecure and reluctant to give my heart to you, to trust you and to love you like I did before.. take me back when you're able to bring back the old Khushi I was with you!"

"I will.. I will do anything to bring you back to your old self.." he nodded his head still with closed eyes.

"Chote.." a voice echoed around the living room.

Arnav and Khushi pulled apart, composing themselves they looked at the side where the voice came from. Khushi was surprised to see Anjali, Shyam and Mahi. She smiled thinking that at least Shyam managed to succeed in his mission, from the looks they're going to be one family again.

Arnav gritted his teeth and clutched his fist angrily, he walked towards them, "Don't call me Chote.."

"Why?" Anjali looked at him dumbfounded.

Khushi rushed to them and held Arnav's arm, "Arnav ji listen to me first.."

Arnav turned to her and blinked his eyes giving her a nod, "Bolo (Say)"

Anjali was shocked beyond words, when he came to her he was so angry and furious but just hearing Khushi's request, he suddenly changed to soft and caring tone.

"Di is changed for better.. she's not like Nani, Mami, Akash and NK.. it was them who brainwashed her against you and made her become your enemy.. but I only planned this trip with Shyam ji so that he changes Di and she forgets all this, and concentrate on her family only.." Khushi said.

Hearing Khushi's words, Anjali widened her eyes realizing that Arnav now knows everything about them, that's why he was so angry with her. Here she came back to explain everything to him and ask forgiveness from him for thinking so bad and plan against him for years and now he knows the truth in most bitter way.

"I know that Khushi.. but I still won't forgive her because if she truly loved her brother then she wouldn't ever done this to me.. whose sister does this to her own brother? She was a mother figure to me and she only backstabbed me.. I'm not hurt with Nani, Mami, Akash and NK as much as I'm with you her.. If you weren't in my life Khushi, then I would have lost trust in love forever.." he chuckled brokenly.

"Chote please let me explain.." Anjali sobbed trying to place her hand on his shoulder but Arnav jerked her off, "Don't touch me Anjali Jha.."

Shyam looked sadly at both, but he knew that Arnav wasn't going to forgive Anjali even if she changed herself. Khushi signaled him to take Mahi inside before she wakes up and witness this.

The three left upstairs leaving Arnav and Anjali alone at the living room.

"Why did you do this to me? What have I done to you? I understand Nani hated me because Nana adopted Ma and loved her more than Mama, then my success was another thing she envied because Akash which was her favorite grandson was left behind.. I made him and Mama work under me.. but you Di.. why? I'm your own brother.. what kind of enmity you had with me?" Arnav asked.

"Chote I.. I was really a fool to fall in their words.. when you started succeeding in your career everything started.. Nani and Mami made me feel like I'm good for nothing, I'm dependent on my little brother.. I'm just a handicapped woman who will not achieve anything in my life and will always go behind her brother to get what she wants.. then I started to feel jealous of you, I wanted to be in your place.. I wanted to feel the power so that I can show to everyone that I, Anjali Singh Raizada although handicapped am better than you.. that's when they plan to usurp your property and everything would be ours.. I couldn't wait to finally achieve what I wanted.. then you introduced me to Shyam, who was not rich and not of our class, Nani and Mami started telling me that you choose a poor man for me purposely to let me dependent on you always, and made me stay in this house only to mock me that my husband can't even afford a house for us and other many bad things they filled in my mind against you.. I started hating you more and more determined to steal everything from you and make you feel what I did.. but Chote this trip made me see the other side of the truth, made me feel what I was losing because of this plan.. made me feel how disgusting person I was.. I didn't give attention to my daughter only because of this plan and now I realized how much time I've lost and didn't even realize that Mahi is growing up and she needs me more than anyone.. Shyam made me realize how wrong I was in my view of you, I told him everything about our plan and he convinced me to let go of all this and embark on a new life with him and Mahi.." Anjali said.

"Then go.. start a new life with him and Mahi.." Arnav said pointing to the door with tears flowing from his eyes, "After ruining my life.. letting me lose my precious little girl (Khushi).. go all of you.. just get lost from here.."

"Chote please forgive me.. don't be angry with your Di.." Anjali cried and hugged him tightly caressing his baby hair. Arnav only kept crying but didn't hug her back.

Khushi watching this scene on the first floor corridor, looked away shutting her eyes tightly and covered her mouth with her palms controlling her sobs.

"Letting me lose my precious little girl." it was still ringing on her ear.

"What happened Khushi when we were not here?" Shyam asked her confused why Arnav said that he lost Khushi.

Khushi narrated everything that happened and Shyam just wanted to punch on Arnav's face for doing this with Khushi. He basically did what Anjali did with Shyam.

"Go.." Arnav broke the hug and said in stern tone.

"Chote don't do this to me.. forgive me please.. I won't be able to live with guilt.. I won't get peace in sleep seeing these tears in your eyes because of me.. you may believe it or not, but still today I look at you as my son.." she cupped his face crying.

"Then you lost your son today.." he said staring directly into her eyes intensely. His dark brown eyes filled with pain while throwing those words to her.

"Chote.." Anjali whispered in shock. Arnav walked away and went upstairs heading to his room without looking at anyone else.

Khushi and Shyam descended the stairs to console Anjali who kneeled down in the floor crying bitterly.

"Chote.. I lost my Chote.. It's my fault only.. I hate myself Shyam.. How can I do this to my son? How can a mother wish bad to her son? How can this Di hate her Chote this much?" Anjali cried loudly and rested her head on Shyam's shoulder as he also kneeled to support her.

Khushi was feeling bad seeing this family breaking apart, but then nothing other than this could be expected after such a big betrayal!

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

Fashion show day..

The hotel hall was filled with business partners, fashion designers and other high class guests invited to watch the one and only ASR's Fashion Show. They already know that it's going to be blockbuster because ASR is a perfectionist in everything that gets his finger's touch!

While at the backstage, instead of the calm one it was other scenario, the employees were walking here and there trying to get the models ready for the show, the nervousness clearly visible in some model's face while others were confident about themselves. The make up artists doing their work patiently but being pressurized with others to be fast so that everything can be done in time.

In a corner, Khushi was sitting on her chair staring at herself on the mirror nervously but still tried to smile as if everything is normal.

Arnav leaned on the dressing table edge, stare at her reading her face, "Nervous?"

"Hmmm-mmm.." she nodded her head.

"Don't be.. everything will be fine.." he assured her with a blink of his eyes, then smirked, "If you didn't forbid me from kissing you, then be sure that by now your whole face would have my lip's feel.."

Khushi's mouth formed a big shape of "O" along with her eyes that widened at his shamelessness.

"Arnav.." Aman came staring at him but one glimpse at Khushi and he smiled, "Beautiful Bride!"

Khushi smiled at Aman, "Thank you Bhaiya.."

"Woh.. see I forgot why I came here.. Arnav everyone at the hall is asking for you.. I guess you should come with me.." Aman said.

"No, I will come only when Khushi goes to the ramp.." Arnav said.

"But.."

"She needs me Aman.. It's her first experience on this and she is very nervous.. I can't leave her like that to attend those who don't mean anything to me.." Arnav said in serious tone.

Aman nodded his head and left from there. Khushi stare at Arnav smiling faintly.

Arnav dropped a kiss on her forehead, "Everything will be go well.. don't be nervous.."

Khushi closed her eyes feeling his kiss, he's been saying this line almost 1000 times from morning till now to her.

"Everyone stand in a line.. the show is about to start.." the assistant shouted.

Khushi held Arnav's hand tightly, breathing in and out.

"Relax.. Relax Angel.." Arnav held her hand and used the other one to pat her shoulder.

"I won't be able to do this.. I'm scared.. nervous.. what not.." Khushi stood up biting her nails and looking here and there.

"Ma'am.." assistant came to call her but Arnav signaled her to leave. She nodded and left from there.

"Khushi calm down.. this is nothing.. those people looking at you are not going to harm you at all.. you need to have confidence in yourself Angel.. no one can stop you from doing what you want.. If you have confidence in yourself, then you can beat even those experienced models.. have trust in yourself Angel.." he cupped her face explaining patiently to her.

"You remember when we met at the first time, you were singing so comfortably with those kids and passengers at the train, so terribly was your voice but you weren't scared of anyone, you had confidence in yourself and that's it.. you attracted everyone towards you, no one laughed at you, no one pointed the mistakes in your singing..everyone sang along with you and even praised you.." he said.

"You said I sang terribly.." Khushi pouted.

"Okay.. I was Tangaballi then na.." he said smiling at her innocent look.

"You have to do same here only.." he said, "Okay?"

"But here it's different.. That day I was singing for fun, but today it's serious.. I can spoil your show and ruin your reputation..everyone will talk bad of you.. I can't stand it.." Khushi said with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Dammit Khushi stop thinking about me.. if this show gets ruined, then so be it.. I'm not worried about myself anymore.. All I want you to do is go and walk confidently on the ramp, show everyone what you're and earn respect from those who think you're nothing but a middle class girl.. Show them that you can and you're better than them.. I want to see you standing up for yourself only now.." Arnav said with little anger in his tone.

"I.."

Arnav didn't let her speak more and placed his lips on hers making Khushi's wide eyed.. feeling his lips on hers, she closed her eyes forgetting the show and their surroundings.

Breaking the kiss, Arnav made her look at him, "You can.. I know you can Angel.."

She nodded her head and Arnav led her to the line of models waiting for their time to come and shine on the ramp.

Khushi stare at Arnav going away from her, she felt bit nervousness coming again but when turned back and blinked his eyes, she smiled at him and he smiled back.

No matter how much angry she is with him.. This stubborn heart always beats for him only!

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

"Last but not the least.. our showstopper presenting the designed bridal outfit by the king of Fashion himself, ASR.." the host said making everyone's eyes turn towards the ramp eagerly waiting for the showstopper arrival.

Arnav took his seat and bit his lips, praying that Khushi heard his words and doesn't back off in between. Dadi and Maya sat beside him were also praying for Khushi.

Khushi made an entry, and everyone were surprised and shocked to see ASR's wife as the showstopper.

Khushi stare at Arnav and he got lost in the beautiful woman in front of him, he felt immensely proud that she is his Wife.

He leaned on his chair comfortably to watch her only while Dadi and Maya smiled seeing how beautiful Khushi looked as bride.

Khushi didn't break the eye lock between them, and with confidence in her eyes and perfect body language of a model as his words were running in her mind, she took confidence, elegant and graceful steps on the ramp looking the bride of dreams. She stopped to pose giving time for the photographers to take her pictures, then staring at Arnav's one last time with small attitude wala smile, she walked back with head held high.

Everyone started clapping loudly for her waking Arnav from his dream land.

"You did it.." he smirked and stood up for her clapping also. His insides were jumping in happiness, proud feeling and excitement for her.

Khushi walked in the backstage and sighed in relief, she smiled still hearing the clap sounds, "I did it Arnav ji.. I did it.."

Arnav went towards the backstage because he would be called again to walk with Khushi at last.

"I surely didn't expect this from you.." he said seriously, "You nailed it Khushi.." he smirked.

Khushi blushed at his words.

"Do you want water or something else?" he asked. She nodded sideways, "I'm fine.."

They waited some minutes and again host called them.

Arnav wrapped his arm around Khushi's waist and walked in with her on the ramp.

The eyes were admiring how beautiful and made for each other couple they were.

It took a moment from them to realise that they needed to applause for them.

Arnav gave his speech as usual, then held Khushi's hand, "So as everyone knows she's my wife.. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!.. I want to say that being her first walk on ramp even though she's not a model, she did an amazing work and I'm very proud of having a wife like you Khushi.."

Khushi stare at him with moist eyes and Arnav nodded sideways gesturing her not to cry.

"I've made a big mistake and end up hurting her the most.. she's angry with me but still she came here and accepted to walk on ramp for me, for my show.." he said and everyone went "Aww" with sad expressions.

"That's why I want to thank her in front of you all.. Thank you so much for doing this for me!" he said staring at Khushi now.

"She said I'm not a good singer.." Arnav said and everyone chuckled.

"So tonight I want to sing for her and show her that if she can walk on a ramp not being a professional model, then I too can sing!" Arnav said.

Khushi and everyone laughed at him.

Khushi was taken to sit on Arnav's chair while he continued on stage to sing for her. A chair was brought for him. Dadi and Maya aunty held her smiling, showing how happy they were that she walked on ramp and gained everyone's attention.

Jitni dafa dekhun tumhe...Dhadke zoron se

Aisa toh kabhi hota nahi..Milke gairon se

Every time I see you..My heart begins to raise

It never happens ..After meeting the strangers

Door jaana nahi..Tumko hai kasam

Khudse zyada tumhe..Chaahatein hain sanam

Don't go away..Take an oath to me

I love you more than myself, beloved

Door jaana nahi..Mujhse aye sanam

Khudse zyada tumhe..Chaahatein hain sanam

Don't go far away..From me, oh beloved

I love you more than myself, beloved

Dil mein jo bhi hai..Tera hi toh hai

Chaahe jo maang lo..Roka kisne hai

Everything is yours..Which is in my heart

Ask me anything..Who's stopping you

Qatl karna ho ..Karna dheere se

Uff bhi nahi niklegi mere hothon se

If you want to kill..Kill me slowly

Even "Uff" won't come out ..Of my mouth

At the end of the song, he stared at Khushi who sobbing and she walked away from there, running towards the exit door.

Eagerly waiting for everyone's comments. This chapter is one of my favorites!