"Arnav, she's my Buaji," Khushi added, her voice filled with affection as she introduced her aunt.

(Arnav, she's my aunt.)

"Baitho, Bitwa, I'll bring some coffee," Buaji welcomed him warmly, gesturing towards the couch. This was the first time she was meeting Arnav but she knew enough about him, thanks to her niece.

(Sit down, son, I'll bring some coffee.)

"Nahi. Iski koi zarurat nahi hai Buaji," Arnav tried to decline politely, feeling a bit out of place in this new environment.

(No. This is not necessary, aunt.)

"Aise kaise zarurat nahi, babua? Coffee ya chai peekr toh hi jana hoga," Buaji insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument. She was determined to show her hospitality.

(How can it not be necessary, son? You must have coffee or tea before you leave.)

Arnav reluctantly sat on the soft couch. She walked into the kitchen as Khushi sat beside him, grinning wide and was talking about something. Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw it was an urgent call.

"ASR, there's another body we found in the outskirts," the voice on the other end informed him, urgency clear in their tone.

Arnav was momentarily stunned, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He knew he had to leave immediately. He stood up, his expression turning serious.

"Khushi, I have to go. Duty calls," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

Khushi looked at him with concern but nodded understandingly. "Be careful, Arnav."

Arnav gave her a reassuring nod before rushing out. As he drove away, his mind was already focused on the case, the urgency of the situation pushing all other thoughts aside.

Meanwhile, Buaji entered the room with a tray. "Ye lo, babua. Coffee..." she trailed off, not finding Arnav in his place.

(Here you go, son. Coffee...)

"Eyy Sankadevi, apne sanak se Arnav babua ko bhaga toh nahi diya na?" Buaji glared at her niece, who was lying on her stomach on the sofa, laughing while watching some reels.

(Hey crazy girl, you didn't scare Arnav away with your antics, did you?)

"Buajiii!!" Khushi glared back at her and said, "Mene nahi bhagaya, vo us serial killer ne bhagaya hoga. Office se call aaya tha toh vo chala gaya."

(Aunt!! I didn't scare him away, that serial killer must have. He got a call from the office, so he left.)

Buaji, still holding the tray, looked at Khushi shaking her head. "Pehli baar milne par hi kaam ke liye jana pada. Bahut zimmedar lagta hai tumhara Arnav babua."

(He had to leave for work on the first meeting itself. Your Arnav seems very responsible.)

Khushi nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Haan Buaji, vo apne kaam ko bahut seriously leta hai. Lekin vo phirse aayega, me leke aaungi, aur tab hum sab saath baithenge."

(Yes, aunt, he takes his work very seriously. But he will come again, I will bring him, and then we will all sit together.)

Buaji smiled.

_________________________

A few weeks later, Anjali brought Khushi to RM again for the weekend. As they entered, they saw Payal chatting animatedly with a young man. Anjali greeted him warmly, while Khushi looked on, puzzled by the unfamiliar face.

"Khushi, this is Nandakishore, Payal's little brother," Anjali introduced with a smile.

"Oh, come on, Di. It's NK. Short and sweet, NK," NK corrected with a wide grin, extending his hand to Khushi.

Khushi shook his hand, smiling back. "My Buaji will definitely like you if she meets you," she said, causing NK to frown in confusion.

"Nandakishore is her favorite deity," Khushi explained, her eyes twinkling.

"Oh," NK grinned again, "but call me NK. Sab hume pyaar se NK bulathe hai. Short and cool, right?" he said, raising his collars playfully.

(Everyone calls me NK with love.)

Khushi giggled, their hands still shaking. "Yes, it's cool, but I'll call you Nanhe. NK is thoda ajeeb."

(Yes, it's cool, but I'll call you Nanhe. NK is a little weird.)

"Waaah, Nanhe, whatever you like," he said, grinning back.

Khushi grinned back.

Just then, Arnav walked in, looking exhausted from a long day at work. He paused, frowning in confusion at the sight of NK and Khushi laughing together, shaking their hands. His frown deepened, turning into a shade of green as he felt a familiar pang of jealousy.

"Guys, will you stop shaking? You just might lose your arms if you do this for some more minutes," Payal said, amused by their antics.

Only then did NK and Khushi realize what they were doing and laughed together.

NK noticed Arnav at the door who started walking into the hall.

"Oh, Nannav! Mera bhai. Long time no see!" NK exclaimed, walking over to give Arnav a friendly hug.

Arnav frowned, gritting his teeth. "It's Arnav."

"It's okay, Nannav. Nannav is fine, good in fact," NK grinned, teasing him more.

Arnav glared at Anjali, who hid behind Khushi. She was the one who told NK about Arnav's childhood story and how he was unable to pronounce his own name. From then on, NK always used 'Nannav' to tease the hell out of him.

"Nannav, mere bhai. Don't glare at Di with those big angry eyes," NK patted Arnav on his shoulders. "Ghussa mat karo," he faked a sad face.

Arnav glared at him, removing his hold. Khushi found this whole thing amusing. She was controlling her laugh, listening to someone calling him Nannav — the same name she used to tease him with in childhood.

Involuntarily, a chuckle left her throat, catching Arnav's attention. Arnav glared at her, but Khushi couldn't control it anymore. She giggled.

"Waah, Khushi, your smile is so beautiful, just like you," NK flirted with her.

Arnav glared at NK as if he'd murder him then and there.

Khushi widened her eyes at his compliment and then a second later, blushed at his comment as she thanked him.

This made Arnav fume more. "When did you come here, NK?" Arnav asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

"Just half an hour before, Nannav," NK replied.

"He's going to stay here for a few days, Jeth-ji," Payal looked at Arnav, smiling at him.

"Haan, Chotte. He's going to give an interview at AR and join back here," Anjali said, smiling, giving him the updates.

"That's great!" Arnav said, though his tone lacked enthusiasm.

"I know, Nannav," NK laughed, hugging him again.

Arnav rolled his eyes. He always clung to him like a monkey, as if he's NK's boyfriend and he couldn't live without his Nannav.

"Now that Khushi is here, we'll have some good time," Anjali said excitedly.

"Of course, Di," NK grinned, "Hai na, Khushi?" he turned towards Khushi. She grinned wide, nodding her head.

Arnav forced a smile, though his eyes betrayed his jealousy. "I'm sure you'll have a good time," he said, his tone tight.

"Are you not going to join us, Chotte?" Anjali asked, knowing the answer.

"I'm tired, Di. I had my dinner and I am going to rest. Don't disturb me," he said, walking away, his eyes not leaving Khushi, who stood confused at his glare.

Is he jealous? she thought. He used to be jealous if she made another best friend apart from him in their childhood. But NK is not my best friend, why is he like that? She thought, glaring at his back. He didn't even greet her.

She sadly looked back at NK and Anjali and then involved herself in their banter, with a smile.

Arnav turned back to see Khushi but saw her chatting away with NK.

As NK and Khushi continued to chat, Arnav couldn't help but feel a surge of possessiveness. He watched them closely, gulping down, his mind racing with jealousy.

_________________________

A few days later, Khushi was out shopping with her friends from AR on a weekend. As they wandered through the mall, she spotted Arnav standing in the parking lot, talking on his phone. A wide smile spread across her face; it had been so long since she'd seen him. Leaving her friends alone, she changed direction.

"Arnavvv!" she screamed, waving her hands energetically. But he didn't hear her. Determined, she started walking towards him.

As she approached, she tapped him on the back. Arnav turned around, only to see Khushi grinning widely at him. She expected him to greet her with a smile, but instead, his eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Arnav, what happened?" Khushi asked, confused by his reaction.

"Go away from here," he said through gritted teeth, glancing around cautiously.

Khushi frowned but then smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Do you think the media will catch us and tomorrow's headline will be you and me on the front page?" she asked, laughing.

Arnav, however, didn't find it funny. "Khushi, I am warning you, go from here," he repeated, his tone more urgent.

"Arrey, let me congratulate you, Arnie. After all, you cracked this serial murder case and he's arrested now. Congratulations!" she said, extending her hand for a shake.

Arnav grabbed her hand instead of shaking it, startling Khushi. "What are you doing?" she exclaimed, but before she could react, he dragged her and dumped her in his car. He quickly tied her hands and legs with her dupatta, plastered her mouth with his handkerchief, and locked her inside the car.

Khushi was left in shock. "Again a kidnap? Is he a CBI officer or a kidnapper? Always kidnapping me now and then. That too for free," she thought as she watched him walk away.

"Shut up, Khushi. Tum hi hamesha wrong time pe uske raaste me jaate ho," her mind scolded her. Khushi pouted, her mouth still covered with his handkerchief.

(Shut up, Khushi. You always come in his way at the wrong time.)

A few minutes later, Arnav appeared walking towards the car, dragging a lean man whose hands were handcuffed and who was semi-conscious. Before she could even register what was happening, Arnav was driving away, with the lean man now blindfolded sitting on the passenger front seat.

"Shit!!" Arnav cursed under his breath as the car suddenly stopped on the outskirts of Delhi. The man was still semi-conscious and blindfolded. Arnav got out to check, only to find both the tires were punctured. Not having any other choice, Arnav called someone and upon receiving the call, said, "You have to come 10 km ahead. My car is punctured."

He released Khushi from the dupatta and handkerchief after cutting the call.

"What's wrong? Why did you kidnap me again? What is going on?" Khushi asked, her voice a little weak as the handkerchief in her mouth had made her mouth sore.

"I don't need to explain anything to you," he spat while removing another handcuff to handcuff the now-conscious man to his own hand and then he locked the car.

Khushi's mind raced with questions, but she knew better than to argue with him in this state.

"You, Arjun Singhania, you betrayed us?" the lean-man gritted his teeth, recognizing the voice.

Arnav didn't respond to Shyam and let him hurl curses at him. He just didn't care about a criminal.

After twenty minutes' wait, a car stopped opposite to them and Arnav got out of the car dragging a protesting Shyam. Khushi was silent all the while.

"Finally!" Karan smirked as he shook Arnav's hand. Karan Singh is another CBI Officer assigned under a secret mission. Arnav had to drug Shyam who was in the shopping mall with Arjun Singhania shopping for his boss. As a part of his mission, he'll have to deliver him to Karan.

Karan and his other teammates reversed the car and drove away handcuffing Shyam.

Arnav huffed in relief and got back to his car.

Arnav started dragging Khushi into the jungle, switching his Iphone off. He even took Khushi's phone and switched it off, ignoring the missed calls on her phone.

"But Sunny, why are you switching off the phones? You can call someone and ask for another car, right?" Khushi asked a genuine question.

"Well, flash news, I can't. I was on a mission, undercover again, and I don't want to call anyone here now."

"Then how will we go back? Yaha toh door door tak koi nahi hai, kuch nahi hai," Khushi asked concerned, looking around.

(Then how will we go back? There's nothing and no one anywhere here.)

"Then why didn't you go away when I told you to? Huh?" he raised his eyebrows in question.

"Why did you kidnap me then? You could have pushed me away to some corner or the floor or behind someone's car." Khushi talked-back, flaring her nose.

"And risk your life? What if they already saw you? I did the best I could have, you could be safe only in my car, all locked." he spat, glaring at her.

Khushi was all silent. Why does she always land up in trouble? She pouted.

"I didn't want them to see you or even follow you if they already saw you, Khushi. That's why I tied you up." he explained, looking at her pouty face.

"I didn't know you're on another undercover mission," she whispered slowly.

"Of course, you don't. You always have this habit of landing at wrong places at wrong timings." he taunted.

Khushi pouted as she couldn't even deny it as it is so true.

"Hai na, ye sab mere saath hi kyu hota hai?" Khushi whispered, biting her nail.

(True, why does it happen to me?)

"Kyunki tum pagal ho," Arnav rolled his eyes.

(Because you are mad.)

"Haww! Sunny, this is wrong, I'm not pagal." she defended herself.

"Yeah, I can see that and now, without doing any stunts, follow me, okay?" Arnav warned, glaring at her. Trust her to land in front in wrong circumstances.

"Okayy..." Khushi nodded and silently followed him.

"Arnavv, aur kitna door?" Khushi asked after 20 minutes of walking. Her legs are aching but this man is walking as if he's a vampire and never sweats.

(Arnavv, how much more distance?)

"Do you want to rest for sometime?" Arnav asked, looking at his Tintin.

Khsuhi bobbed her head.

Arnav took her to one of the huge trees and they sat under it for sometime.

Khushi spotted some mangoes high up in a tree and eagerly ran towards them. She's not hungry but her mouth watered as she looked at them. They were calling for her, wanting to be in her stomach. She tried to reach them, but they were too high. She jumped and threw stones, but the mangoes refused to budge. Occasionally, her throws missed their mark.

Arnav watched Khushi's antics as if he were enjoying a movie. Khushi's eyes flashed towards him, a hint of accusation in them. "Arnav, here I'm trying to pluck the mangoes and you are just watching?"

"What else should I do then?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Help? Best friend nahi toh Insaan ke naathe hi sahi, madad karo na," she pleaded.

(Arnav, at least as a human, please help.)

Arnav smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Me insaan hu ye kisne bol diya tumhe?" he teased, crossing his arms.

(Who told you that I am human?)

Khushi rolled her eyes, exasperated. "Mujhe toh tum insaan hi dikte ho," she retorted, hands on her hips.

(You look human to me.)

Arnav puffed out his chest, "Me sher hu sher," he declared, his voice booming.

(I am a lion, a lion.)

Khushi couldn't help but throw a sarcastic grin. "That's very nice, Arnie. Can you just not become a monkey for your Tintin and bring those mangoes?"

"Sher kabhi bandar nahi bante," he said, rolling his eyes.

(A lion can never become a monkey..)

Khushi sighed, sitting on a nearby rock, pouting and glaring at Arnav.

"Rakshash Lord Governer," she mumbled under her breath loud enough for him to hear.

Arnav chuckled and shook his head before standing up. He picked up a sharp stone and aimed at the mangoes. One by one, they fell to the ground. His aim was perfect, after all, he was a CBI Officer.

Khushi jumped in happiness as she collected the Mangoes and began savouring them after cleaning it with some water from her hand bag.

Khushi savored the mangoes, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Mmm, these are so good! You should try one, Arnav," she said, offering him a piece.

Arnav shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, thanks. You enjoy them."

Khushi pouted, "Come on, just one bite. For me?"

Arnav sighed, giving in to her pleading eyes. He took a small bite, and Khushi's face lit up with satisfaction. "See? It's good, right?"

"It's okay," Arnav replied, trying to hide his amusement at her enthusiasm.

Khushi kept munching on the mangoes, her face a sticky mess of juice. Arnav watched her with a soft smile. Despite the chaos she often brought into his life, he couldn't help but admire her.

"You're such a mess," he said, chuckling as he handed her a tissue.

Khushi wiped her face, grinning. "But I'm still your best friend."

Arnav rolled his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, that's why I have to tolerate you," he retorted, his tone teasing.

Khushi pouted, drawing out his name, "Aranvvv!"

Arnav laughed as Khushi pouted even more dramatically. They continued walking, the playful banter between them filling the air.

Let me know how the update was! 

Regards,

Poly,

27/07/2024